Unit 10.1
Indirect Orders
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Introduction
We use indirect orders to avoid direct orders and when we want to make a request in a more polite way.
Form
We find indirect order verbs in sentences about requests and orders.
In this structure we put the indirect order verb followed by the object, to and the verb in the following way:
Subject + indirect order verb + object + to + verb + …
The most commonly used indirect order verbs are want, would like, and would love.
Example
- I want you to use the cycle lane.
I want you to get in the car now. - We would like them to cancel the tickets.
She would like her to drive slowly. - She would love her husband to fix the car.
They would love him to join them on the business trip.
Use
We use indirect orders when we may need to make requests or orders in a more polite way, to be kinder or gentler, and in order to avoid direct orders.
We use:
- want: when we make a direct request;
- would like: when we make a less direct request;
- would love: when we make an indirect request.
Summary
We use indirect orders to avoid direct orders and when we want to make a request in a more polite way.
When we use indirect orders, we start with the subject followed by an indirect order verb, an object and a to-infinitive.
The most commonly used indirect order verbs are want, would like, and would love.
For example:
— “I want you to start working.” = The subject wants the person (object) to start working, but he/she gives the order in a polite way.
♦ “Could you start working?” = We can make a direct request more polite by using could instead of using can or the imperative form.
Let’s revise this content within the {Form} section. Take a look at the {Example} section that shows its use within a context.
Exercises
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