Grammar · Free lesson
TOEFL sentences: report a request
“Please return the books,” the librarian said to us. How can you report that request in one sentence?
Professor Scott MendozaThe short answer
Report a request with asked + person + to + base verb: “The librarian asked us to return the books.” The librarian made the request; us identifies the people expected to return them.
Requester → asked → recipient → to + action.
After asked, use an object form such as me, him, her, us, or them. The requested action follows to in its base form: asked us to return, not asked we to returned. Asked carries the past tense here; return does not need another past ending. Keep the people’s roles unchanged.
Compare the examples
“Please check the address,” Mina said to me.
Mina asked me to check the address.
Mina asked me not to share the address.
For a negative request, not normally comes before to: asked me not to share. Do not turn it into “did not ask me to share,” which says no request was made.
Build the meaning step by step
Who requested?
The librarian asked
Who should act?
us
What action?
to return the books.
Try it now
Check the structure and meaning
Read all answers and explanations
Choose the correct object form: “The tutor asked ___ to wait.”
usUs is the object form after asked. We is a subject; our is possessive.
Choose the base verb after to: “She asked him to ___ the form.”
signThe to-infinitive uses sign. Asked already gives the past time of the request.
Mina requested that I keep the address private. Which sentence preserves that request?
Mina asked me not to share the address.Not to share reports a request to avoid sharing. Did not ask denies a request; to share reverses it.
Build it yourself
Build the reported request
A coordinator said to us, “Please confirm the date.” Use all pieces, beginning with The coordinator.
Keep the recipient before to + the action. Select a piece again to move it back.
Your reported request
0 of 6 piecesYour chosen pieces will appear here.
See a model answer
The coordinator asked us to confirm the date.
The coordinator made the request; we are expected to confirm. Us is the object form, and confirm stays in its base form.
A little more clarity
Common questions
A few useful details before you move on.
Can asked if also report a request?
Yes, depending on context: asked if I could help can report a request. It is a different structure, not an error. Use the words and meaning required by the activity.
She asked if I could help with the schedule.
Is every sentence with asked a request?
No. Ask can introduce a question about information too. Identify the communicative purpose before choosing the structure.
She asked what time the office closed.
Take it into your day
Asked + object form + to + base verb preserves the request clearly.
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