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Imperative Clauses

In reported speech (Indirect Speech)

Get Plenty of Rest
 

 

Quoted vs. Reported Imperatives (Commands)
QUOTED IMPERATIVE

A quoted imperative begins with a main clause including the speaker and (mostly) the verb say, and is followed by a comma and the exact words of the quote, enclosed in quotation marks. The quoted speech may also be placed before the main clause: "Get some rest," the doctor said.. 

MAIN CLAUSE IMPERATIVE

The doctor said,

"Get some rest."

 

 

The doctor said,

"Don't smoke."

 

 

The doctor said, 

"Call me immediately."

 

 
REPORTED IMPERATIVE

A reported imperative usually includes say or tell in the main clause, and it is followed by the content of the quote expressed as a that-clause or an infinitival clause. Adjustments in time, person, place, and direction relate the clause to the speaker's perspective.
MAIN CLAUSE REPORTED SPEECH

The doctor said

(that)¹ I should get some rest.

to get some rest.

The doctor told me

to get some rest.

not to get near other people.

The doctor said

(that) I shouldn't smoke.

not to smoke.

The doctor told me

to stop smoking.

not to smoke.

The doctor said

(that) I should call him immediately.

to call immediately. 

The doctor said

to call him immediately.

not to delay.

 

An imperative verb is one that expresses an order or strong obligation for someone to do something.
A that-clause tends to be used in more formal contexts. The verb in the that-clause includes the subjunctive verb form, the plain form of the verb.  (No -s is added for 3rd person singular.)
¹Including that in a that-clause is optional with verbs such as say and think.  We tend to leave it out in speech and include it in writing. That is required in more formal contexts. (UUEG 253) (CaGEL 953) (CoGEL 681)
Also see:   "Order" + Noun + Infin   |  Synonyms for "Said".

 

Said Synonyms

 

 

 

 

Subordinate Imperatives

Infinitive or Infinitival Clause

 

 

 

Infinitive & Negative Infinitive
INFINITIVE

The verb in the main clause is (mostly) say or tell and the verb in the subordinate clause is an infinitive verb form or infinitival clause.
MAIN CLAUSE SUBORDINATE CLAUSE

(Remove punctuation.)

The doctor said,

 

"Get some rest."

(1) subord. marker¹

 

—

(2) word order [S-V]

 

—

(3) person & number

 

—

(4) tense / verb form

change to this
to get some rest  

(5) time / place

—

The doctor said
The doctor told me


to get some rest.
NEGATIVE INFINITIVE

The verb in the main clause is (mostly) say or tell . The verb in the subordinate clause includes not and an infinitive verb form or infinitival clause.               
MAIN CLAUSE SUBORDINATE CLAUSE

 

The doctor said,

 

"Don't smoke."             

(1) subord. marker

 

—

(2) word order [S-V]

  

(3) person & number

 

(4) tense / verb form

    change to this
not to smoke.

(5) time / place

  

The doctor said
The doctor told me


not to smoke.
 

¹subordinate marker – that  (not used with an infinitival clause)

 

 

 

 

Subordinate Imperatives

That-clause with should or subjunctive verb

 

 

 

Should  or Subjunctive Verb
THAT – SHOULD + VERB

The verb in the main clause is (mostly) say or tell and the verb in the subordinate clause is a modal verb form with should. (Tell requires an indirect object.)
MAIN CLAUSE SUBORDINATE CLAUSE

(Remove punctuation.)

The doctor said,

 

"Get some rest."

(1)subordinate marker

 

that (you) get some rest

(2) word order [S-V]

 

—

(3) person & number

    change to this
that I get some rest

(4) verb form  "should"

           change to this
that I should get some rest

(5) time / place


—

The doctor said
The doctor told me


that I should get some rest.
THAT – SUBJUNCTIVE VERB

The verb in the main clause is verb with an imperative meaning ("command verb") and the verb in the subordinate clause is plain form (base form).                
MAIN CLAUSE SUBORDINATE CLAUSE

 

The doctor advised,

 

"Come to my office today."

(1) subordinate marker

 

that (he) come to my office today

(2) word order [S-V]

 

 

(3) person & number

      change to this
that he come to his office today

(4) subjunctive verb form

             change to this
that he come to his office today

(5) time / place


that he go to his office that same day


The doctor advised


that he go to his office that same day.
 

¹subordinate marker – that
Subjunctive Some languages have special verb forms called subjunctive, which are used especially to talk about unreal situations; things which are possible, desirable or imaginary. Older English had subjunctives, but in modern English they have mostly been replaced by uses of should, would and other modal verbs, by uses of past tenses, and by ordinary verb forms.

English only has a few subjunctive forms left: third-person singular present verbs with out -s (e.g. she see, he have) and special forms of be (e.g. I be, he were). Except for I/he/she/it were after if, they are not very common.  —  Michael Swan. Practical English Use age (567)

 

 

 

Subjunctive Verb (plain form verb)
1ST PERSON 2ND PERSON 3RD PERSON
SINGULAR  SINGULAR  SINGULAR 

The doctor advised that I get some rest.
The doctor advised that I be careful.
 

The doctor advised that you get some rest.
The doctor advised that you be careful.
 

The doctor advised that she / he get some rest.
The doctor advised that she / he be careful.
 

SINGULAR  SINGULAR  SINGULAR 

The doctor advised that we get some rest.
The doctor advised that we be careful.

The doctor advised that you (all) get some rest.
The doctor advised that you (all) be careful.

The doctor advised that they get some rest.
The doctor advised that they be careful. 
   

 

 

 

Verbs with Imperative Meaning

advise  We advised that he leave.

ask  We ask that they give us a chance.

beg   He begged that they leave him alone.

command   He commanded that they go.

demand   We demanded that he stand up.

desire   He desires that he succeed..

forbid   She forbid that he stay out late.

insist   I insisted that he come early.

order    You ordered that he clean it up.

propose    We proposed that they come too.

request   We request that you work there.

require   We require that he complete it.

suggest   We suggest that he prepare well.

urge   We urged that the Red Cross proceed.

 

recommend    We recommend that he stop.

wish    I wish that he be set free.

The above verbs are complemented by a that-clause with a subjunctive verb
Also see infinitives used after these verbs:  "Order" + Noun + Infin  

 

 

 

 

Common Mistakes

Errors and Solutions

 

 

ERROR SOLUTION

*Jack shouted to let's go.

Jack shouted, "Let's go!" (Let us go.)
Jack shouted at us to go. informal 
Jack shouted that we should go.

~The counselor recommended that he goes to a community college.

The counselor recommended that he go to a community college.

*not used /  ~used by some speakers and not others (less formal)

 

 

 

 

Grammar Notes

Traditional and Linguistic Description

Advanced

 

 

TRADITIONAL & OTHER DESCRIPTIONS LINGUISTIC DESCRIPTION

Reported speech [with imperatives] – UUEG 12-7

  • "I should watch TV." 
  • She said that she should/ ought to watch TV.

 

A subjunctive verb uses the simple form of a verb. it does not have present, past, or future forms; it is neither singlular nor plural.

Sentences with subjunctive verbs generally stress importance or urgency. A subjunctive verb is used in that-clauses that follow verbs and expressions:

advise, ask, demend, insist, propose, recommend, request, suggest

It is… critical, essential, imperative, important, necessary, vital

UUEG (450)

 

subjunctive (adj.) – expressing a condition that is uncertain or contrary to fact (e.g., if I were you), including doubt, wishfulness, possibility, demand, and the like (e.g., the crowd demanded that she be heard).  — Garner  918

 

Michael Swan. Practical English Use age (567)

567 Subjunctive Some languages have special verb forms called subjunctive, which are used especially to talk about unreal situations; things which are possible, desirable or imaginary. Older English had subjunctives, but in modern English they have mostly been replaced by uses of should, would and other modal verbs, by uses of past tenses, and by ordinary verb forms.

English only has a few subjunctive forms left: third-person singular present verbs with out -s (e.g. she see, he have) and special forms of be (e.g. I be, he were). Except for I/he/she/it were after if, they are not very common. 

 

 

[There is] No subordinate imperative construction — CaGEL 10 §9.8

"Imperatives normally occur as main clauses: there is no grammatically distinct construction that can properly be regarded as the subordinate counterpart of a main clause imperative…"

Reporting directives:

  • Leave her alone [imperative]
  • He ordered/ told / asked / advised him to leave her alone. [infinitival]
  • He asked that I leave her alone. [mandative subjunctive]

 

Subjunctive is restricted to the following clause content:

mandative –  occurs in construction with:

various verbs

  • We insist that she be kept informed.
  • We insisted that they be kept informed. [not backshifted for tense]

 

various adjectives:  It is… advisable, appropriate, crucial, desirable, essential, fitting, imperative, important, necessary, obligatory, preferable, proper, urgent, required, vital, etc.

  • It is essential that he stay here. [subjunctive]
  • It is essential that he stays here. [declarative]

 

various nouns: advide, agreement, arrangement, decision, intention, motion, preference, proposal, recommendation, requirement, suggestion, etc.

The requirement that he be here by Tuesday is non-negotiable.

various prepositions: if, in case, on condition, unless, provided, for fear, lest, in order, so, etc.

  • Adversatives: Keep a straight face lest anyone (should) discover your intentions.
  • Conditionals: We gave him the car keys on condition that he not accept any passengers.
  • Purposives: Every bit of caution was taken so that no one  should enter without being searched.

       CaGEL 11 §7.1.2

Exhaustive conditional adjuncts.

We will have to face the challenge whether it be here in our country or abroad.

CaGEL 11 §7.1.3

 

Resources

 

 

 

 

Practice 1

Brothers

Brothers Going to school
 

 

Change quoted commands to infinitive clauses.
  1. Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence. 
  2. Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check 1-10" button at the bottom, or click the "Check" button to the left  as you go.

 

1.
 

2.
late again.

3.
.

4.
.

5.
.

6.
.

7.
on time every morning."

8.
ten minutes before he left.

9.
before he went to bed.  

10.
two clocks if necessary.

11.
.

12.
his head.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Practice 2

Recommendations and Orders

oil spill clean up
 

 

Select the verb form that complements the verb in the main clause. 
  1. Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence. 
  2. Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check 13-22" button at the bottom, or click the "Check" button to the left  as you go.

13.
The President told the oil company, "Stop the oil spill."

14.
The Environmental Protection agency issued a requirement to BP Oil Company: "Improve equipment inspections.


inspection (n.) – a careful look for safety standards

15.
The fishermen told the oil-cleaning crew, "Protect our fishing grounds (areas)."

crew (n.) – group of workers or athletes

16.
The fishermen said, "We hope that the oil will stay far offshore."

17.
Scientists proposed to the group of fire fighters, "Try explosives to close the oil well."

18.
The oil company says, "Be patient".

19.
The company has told us, "We understand your frustration."

20.
A crowd shouted, "No more offshore oil drilling!"

21.
Scientists say, "This is a huge disaster."

22.
The government announced, "The oil company is responsible for the clean-up costs."

 

 

Related practice: Imposition of Will: Changing an Infinitive Phrase to a That-clause   

 

 

 

 

Practice 3

Treating Hay Fever

hay fever
 

 

Read 

The best treatment for hay fever is to avoid the thing you are allergic to. If it is pollen, use an air conditioner to keep it out of your house. For dust mites, put dust-proof covers on your mattress and pillows. If you are allergic to pets, keep your furry friends out of the bedroom.

Wear wrap-around sunglasses when you go out to protect your eyes from pollen. Use cool compresses on your eyes. These are just a few things you can do to treat allergies.

You can also try antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays, and eye drops.

Allergy shots or immunotherapy gradually help your body get used to your allergy triggers. They are usually recommended for people who have symptoms more than three months each year. They can help lower your need for medication to control your symptoms.

allergen (n.) – the source or cause of an allergy, such as pollen, dust, cat hair, etc.

allergy (n.) – a condition in which someone reacts to something such as dust, food, mold, pollen, or cat hair.  The reaction may be itchy eyes, runny nose, wheezing, skin

antihistamines (n.) – medicine that reduces allergic reaction

avoid (v.) – keep away from

compress (n.) – a cold cloth that is placed on red, itchy, or swollen eyes

dust mites (n.) very small (microscopic) insects found in bedrooms. Allergens from mites cause asthmas and other nighttime allergies

dust-proof (adj.) – dust cannot go through or get into (the pillow

eye drops (n.) medicine that is put into eye

furry (adj.) – having fur ("hair" of a dog or cat)

hay fever (n.) – being allergic to the pollen of common plants and grasses

immunotherapy (n.) – a treatment that works with the body's natural defense system, way of fighting illness

nasal spray (n.) – medicine that is released into the nose directly

symptoms (n.) – the signs or ways that a body shows illness (runny nose, sneezing, fever, etc.)

treat (v.) – care for, cure, reduce illness or pain

treatment (n.) – the care that is given to help someone get better (improve health) or feel less pain

trigger (n.) – something that sets off, starts an allergy.

 

WebMD.com Allergies

 

 

 

 

Edit for Errors
  1. Edit the sentence(s) in the text box.
  2. Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check 23-30" button at the bottom, or click the "Check" button to the left  as you go.

 

23.
The doctor told my sister avoid allergens.


24.
He recommended that she used an air conditioner to keep pollen out of the house.


25.
He advised her that she uses special pillow and mattress covers.


26.
He also told her she is not getting a cat.


27.
He suggested her wear wrap-around glasses outside.


28.
The doctor recommended her to use eye drops.


29.
The doctor urged that she tried some antihistamine tablets as well.


30.
If necessary, he told her come back for some allergy shots.