ように言う | Grammar

Structure

[verb (plain, non-past)] + ように言う [verb ない form] + ように言う

Common pattern: Person は + Person に + [verb (plain)] + ように言う

Note: 言う can be replaced with 頼む, 伝える, 注意する, etc.

Description

The grammar pattern ように言う is used to express that someone tells, asks, or orders someone to do (or not do) something. It is used for indirect speech – reporting instructions, requests, or commands – rather than quoting someone's exact words.

Basic usage

The verb before ように is in its plain form (dictionary form for positive, ない form for negative).

。

The teacher told the students to do their homework.

。

The doctor told me not to eat sweets.

Difference from と言う

とゆう言う is used for direct quotation – reporting someone's exact words. ように言う is used for indirect reporting of instructions or requests.

Compare:

きごう「きごう」。

My mother said, "Go to bed early."

。

My mother told me to go to bed early.

With other verbs

While ゆう言う is the most common verb used with this pattern, it also works with other verbs of communication such as たのむ頼む (to ask/request), ちゅうい注意する (to warn/caution), and つたえる伝える (to convey/pass on a message).

。

I asked her to be quiet.

。

The teacher warned us not to run.

Politeness

The verb ゆう言う at the end of the sentence can be conjugated into any tense or politeness level: いった言った, いいました言いました, いわれた言われた, etc.

。

I was told by the manager to come early.

Examples

。

The teacher told the students to bring their textbooks.

。

My mother told me to eat vegetables.

。

I was told by the doctor not to drink alcohol.

。

My father told my younger brother to wake up early.

。

Please tell her not to be late.

たなか田中。

Please tell Mr. Tanaka to attend the meeting tomorrow.

。

The coach told the players to practice more.

。

I was told by the staff to wait here.

。

I asked my friend not to tell the secret to anyone.

。

The teacher warned us not to use our phones during class.

。

I was told by my boss to submit the report by Friday.

。

I keep telling my child not to play too many video games.

References

ようにいうBunpro