Where it appears in the exam
What is it?
This competency is about how to turn a direct order or request into reported speech in English. Instead of repeating imperatives, English usually needs a specific reporting verb plus an object and a to infinitive: told me to wait, asked us to leave. The problem isn't only the vocabulary, but the exact structure each verb demands.
Why it matters in the exam
In B2 First it shows up above all in Part 4, where a transformation can hinge on choosing between ask, tell, order or remind and building the rest correctly. If you slip here, you don't lose points for misreading the message, but for a micro-structure that Cambridge marks strictly.
The cognitive trap
"Your instinct uses say + object for a command: "He said me to close the window""
Your brain reaches for the most familiar reporting verb, say, and attaches the person directly to it, because the underlying idea — telling someone what to do — feels like simple speech. But say never takes a personal object, and a command needs a verb that does.
He told me to close the window. / no “He said me to close the window.”
In English, an order isn't built with say: you need a verb like tell or ask + person + to infinitive. And tell takes the object directly (told me), never with “to”.
Recognition pattern
In the exam, look for the key signal first. The answer follows.
Signals that lead you to this structure
"The coach told us to warm up before the match."
"She asked me to call her later."
"The doctor told him not to drive for a few days."
"My brother reminded me to charge my phone."
"The officer ordered everyone to move back."
The errors that Cambridge does penalise
"The teacher told to rewrite the essay."
Cambridge penalises it because the object is missing. Tell can't be followed directly by a to infinitive without saying who the order is aimed at.
"The teacher told us to rewrite the essay."
It's correct because there's an order or instruction and the full structure appears: tell + object + to infinitive.
"She asked to me send the file that evening."
It's a typical transfer error. Ask doesn't use “to + person”; the person goes directly after the verb.
"She asked me to send the file that evening."
It's correct for a request: ask + object + to infinitive.
"My manager ordered that we to leave the building immediately."
Cambridge penalises it because the expected structure at this level is order + object + to infinitive. Here a that clause is wrongly mixed with an infinitive.
"My manager ordered us to leave the building immediately."
Order expresses strong authority and fits an obligatory instruction.
"Dad reminded me lock the door."
The to before the infinitive is missing. In Part 4 this kind of omission invalidates the answer even if you chose the right verb.
"Dad reminded me to lock the door."
Remind is used a lot in transformations when the idea is to remind someone to do something.
"The receptionist asked us don't use our phones inside."
Cambridge penalises it because it copies the direct negative imperative “don't use”. In reported speech the negation is built with “not to + infinitive”: asked us not to use.
"The receptionist asked us not to use our phones inside."
The negation goes before the infinitive: not to use.
Why your brain gets it wrong
The learner's short circuit
Analyse the trap by exam format
“Don't forget to bring your ID,” the receptionist said to me. (REMINDED) → The receptionist ______ my ID.
Your brain understands the message and grabs said, and even adds an object (“said me”). But “Don't forget to…” is a reminder: the key word REMINDED calls for remind + object + to infinitive. And say never takes a personal object.
Don't forget
“Don't forget to…” aimed at a person is a reminder, not a statement: it calls for remind + object + to infinitive.
→ reminded me to bring
The problem isn't the tense: it's the speech act
In Part 4, Cambridge often hides this competency inside a sentence that looks easy. The candidate understands the order or request, but slips when rebuilding it because they translate with say or because they forget that many verbs here demand object + to infinitive.
Strategy
Before you write, decide which speech act you're facing: order, request, reminder, warning. Then check two things: who receives the action and whether the structure needs a to infinitive. If no recipient appears, suspect you haven't built the transformation correctly yet.
Reported requests & commands is 1 of 82
The exam tests 82 grammar competencies across 19 families. Mastering one is the first step. Automating all 82 is passing.
Related competencies