English grammar
Ask / tell someone (not) to + verb
Ask or tell someone (not) to do something.
From the scene I'm asking you not to say anything
In short
Ask or tell + person + to + verb to get someone to do something. Put not before to for the opposite.
Your turn
Which one goes with ask someone not to?
Options: I'm asking you not to say anything. · I'm asking you to listen to me. · She told me to tell you not to work so much.
Show answer
ask someone not to → I'm asking you not to say anything.
How it works
To ask or tell someone to do something — or not to — use ask / tell + person + (not) to + verb: I'm asking you to listen to me.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
I'm asking you not (blank) tell them that I knew.
Options: to · for · that
Show answer
I'm asking you not to tell them that I knew.
Te pido que no les digas que yo lo sabía.
Good to know
I'm asking you not to say anything. Passing on a message works the same way: she told me to tell you not to work so much.
ask someone to I'm asking you to listen to me.
Javi
Doña Elena, I'm asking you to listen to me a moment.
Doña Elena, le pido que me escuche un momento.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Doña Elena, (blank) a moment.
Options: She told me to tell you not to work so much · I'm asking you to listen to me · I'm asking you not to say anything
Show answer
Javi
Doña Elena, I'm asking you to listen to me a moment.
Doña Elena, le pido que me escuche un momento.
ask someone not to I'm asking you not to say anything.
Javi
I'm asking you not to say anything and not to tell anyone.
Le pido que no diga nada y que no avise a nadie.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) and not to tell anyone.
Options: I'm asking you not to say anything · I'm asking you to listen to me · She told me to tell you not to work so much
Show answer
Javi
I'm asking you not to say anything and not to tell anyone.
Le pido que no diga nada y que no avise a nadie.
passing on a message She told me to tell you not to work so much.
Elena
Your mother calls me every Sunday. She told me to tell you not to work so much.
Tu madre me llama todos los domingos. Me dijo que te dijera que no trabajes tanto.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Your mother calls me every Sunday. (blank).
Options: I'm asking you to listen to me · I'm asking you not to say anything · She told me to tell you not to work so much
Show answer
Elena
Your mother calls me every Sunday. She told me to tell you not to work so much.
Tu madre me llama todos los domingos. Me dijo que te dijera que no trabajes tanto.
two things at once not to say anything and not to tell anyone
Javi
I'm asking you not to say anything and not to tell anyone.
Le pido que no diga nada y que no avise a nadie.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
I'm asking you (blank).
Options: not to say anything and not to tell anyone · I'm asking you to listen to me · She told me to tell you not to work so much
Show answer
Javi
I'm asking you not to say anything and not to tell anyone.
Le pido que no diga nada y que no avise a nadie.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| ask someone to | I'm asking you to listen to me. |
|---|---|
| ask someone not to | I'm asking you not to say anything. |
| passing on a message | She told me to tell you not to work so much. |
| two things at once | not to say anything and not to tell anyone |
More lines from the story
- ElenaI'm asking you not to tell them that I knew.Te pido que no les digas que yo lo sabía.
- JaviMy parents are coming on Saturday. They don't know I have so many jobs.Mis padres vienen el sábado. No saben que tengo tantos trabajos.
- ElenaTell me, dear. What's going on?Dime, cariño. ¿Qué pasa?