Passing an order along
You just learned to backshift reported commands into the past. When the reporting verb is in the present, the command goes into the present subjunctive:
| Tell him to bring me the book. | Diz-lhe que me traga o livro. |
| direct | reported (present matrix) |
|---|---|
| "Traz o livro!" | Diz-lhe que traga o livro. |
| "Fala devagar!" | Pede-lhe que fale devagar. |
| "Vem jantar!" | Diz à tua irmã que venha jantar. |
Dizer que + indicative reports information; dizer que + subjunctive passes on an order. The mood alone carries the difference.
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