Hi,
My understanding on the use of subjunctive is as crudely as it may sound is that a person is trying to write as closely as possible (as best to approximate the content) the speech rendered previously. Now, when I was looking at the us.geocities.com website for its online help on subjunctive in the section called "The Imperative," I saw these two among other examples. My question is "What make one right and the other wrong when they have used different verbs to report the speeches?" Who is figuring out the tone and emotion involved to make the necessary distinction whether that person who made the speech has asked or ordered? The person reporting the speech makes this judgement.
1. He said, "Speak up, please!"
2. He asked me to speak up. The direct speech 'please' suggest a request, so the writer chose'ask'.'
5. Mother said, "Get your hair combed"
6. Mother ordered me to get my hair combed. No direct 'please'. You might also say 'Mother told me to . . . '.
In #1 and #5, 'said' just focuses on giving the words that were used.
You could also write #2 and #5 thus -
#2 He asked that I speak up.
#5 Mother ordered that I comb my hair.
Best wishes, Clive