English grammar
Passing on an order: he says to + verb
Pass on someone's order, using he says to + verb, and shout orders to a group.
From the scene He says to be quiet
In short
Pass on an order with he says to + verb. Shout an order to a group with Everyone, be quiet!
Your turn
Which one goes with question: does he say to…??
Options: why is he telling us to be quiet? · does he say to leave it here? · he says to leave it and be quiet
Show answer
question: does he say to…? → does he say to leave it here?
How it works
In everyday British English you pass on someone's order with say to + verb: he says to leave it = he wants you to leave it.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
He also says (blank) get the lead actor over here!
Options: for · to · that
Show answer
He also says to get the lead actor over here!
También dice: «¡Que venga el actor principal!»
Good to know
When you shout an order at a group or a person, put them first: everyone, be quiet! Will + person + be quiet! is a firmer, more annoyed order.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Doña Elena... now he's shouting: 'Will the lady with the churros (blank) quiet!'
Options: be · is · being
Show answer
Doña Elena... now he's shouting: 'Will the lady with the churros be quiet!'
Doña Elena... ahora grita: «¡Que se calle la señora de los churros!»
passing on an order: says to + verb he says to leave it and be quiet
Elena
Yes: he says to leave it and be quiet.
Sí, que lo dejes y que te calles.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Yes: (blank).
Options: does he say to leave it here · why is he telling us to be quiet · he says to leave it and be quiet
Show answer
Elena
Yes: he says to leave it and be quiet.
Sí, que lo dejes y que te calles.
question: does he say to…? does he say to leave it here?
Your turn
What goes with does he say to leave it here??
Options: question: does he say to…? · passing on an order: says to + verb · same idea: tell someone to
Show answer
does he say to leave it here? → question: does he say to…?
same idea: tell someone to why is he telling us to be quiet?
Nuria
Well, neither did I. Why is he telling us to be quiet?
Pues yo tampoco. ¿Por qué nos dice que nos callemos?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Well, neither did I. (blank)?
Options: Does he say to leave it here · Why is he telling us to be quiet · He says to leave it and be quiet
Show answer
Nuria
Well, neither did I. Why is he telling us to be quiet?
Pues yo tampoco. ¿Por qué nos dice que nos callemos?
order to a group everyone, be quiet!
Elena
Silence! Through the megaphone, the director is shouting: 'Everyone be quiet!'
¡Silencio! Por el megáfono, el director grita: «¡Que se callen todos!»
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Silence! Through the megaphone, the director is shouting: 'Everyone (blank)!'
Options: does he say to leave it here · be quiet · he says to leave it and be quiet
Show answer
Elena
Silence! Through the megaphone, the director is shouting: 'Everyone be quiet!'
¡Silencio! Por el megáfono, el director grita: «¡Que se callen todos!»
annoyed order: will + person + verb! will the lady with the churros be quiet!
Common mistake
Not Everyone's or Everyone is here. A bare order: who it's for + verb.
Silence! Through the megaphone, the director is shouting: 'Everyone be quiet!'
¡Silencio! Por el megáfono, el director grita: «¡Que se callen todos!»
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
| passing on an order: says to + verb | he says to leave it and be quiet |
|---|---|
| question: does he say to…? | does he say to leave it here? |
| same idea: tell someone to | why is he telling us to be quiet? |
| order to a group | everyone, be quiet! |
| annoyed order: will + person + verb! | will the lady with the churros be quiet! |
More lines from the story
- ElenaHe also says to get the lead actor over here!También dice: «¡Que venga el actor principal!»
- NuriaDoña Elena... now he's shouting: 'Will the lady with the churros be quiet!'Doña Elena... ahora grita: «¡Que se calle la señora de los churros!»
- JaviMe, be quiet? I didn't say anything.¿Que me calle yo? Si no dije nada.