Actions which move things
Taking inventory , Taking , Removing it from , Dropping , Putting it on , Inserting it into 

Actions which move the player
Waiting , Going , Entering , Exiting , Getting off 

Actions involving sight
Looking , Examining , Looking under , Searching , Consulting it about 

Actions which change the state of things
Locking it with , Unlocking it with , Switching on , Switching off , Opening , Closing , Wearing , Taking off , Eating 

Actions concerning other people
Giving it to , Showing it to , Waking , Throwing it at , Attacking , Kissing , Answering it that , Telling it about , Asking it about , Asking it for 

Actions which are checked but then do nothing unless rules intervene
Touching , Waving , Pulling , Pushing , Turning , Pushing it to , Squeezing 

Actions which always do nothing unless rules intervene
Saying yes , Saying no , Burning , Waking up , Thinking , Smelling , Listening to , Tasting , Cutting , Jumping , Tying it to , Drinking , Saying sorry , Swearing obscenely , Swearing mildly , Swinging , Rubbing , Setting it to , Waving hands , Buying , Singing , Climbing , Sleeping 

Actions which happen out of world
Requesting the score , Quitting the game , Saving the game , Restoring the game , Restarting the game , Verifying the story file , Requesting the story file version , Switching the story transcript on , Switching the story transcript off , Preferring abbreviated room descriptions , Preferring unabbreviated room descriptions , Preferring sometimes abbreviated room descriptions , Requesting the pronoun meanings , Switching score notification on , Switching score notification off 

What are actions? ; Table of commands available to the player . Actions listed in red control the program simulating the fictional world, but do not affect that world.

Taking something (past tense taken)
    "take [things]"
    "get [things]"
    "pick up [things]"
    "pick [things] up"
    check        avoid unnecessary implicit taking rule
    check        can't take yourself rule
    check        can't take other people rule
    check        can't take component parts rule
    check        determine common ancestor for taking rule
    check        can't take people's possessions rule
    check        can't take what you're inside rule
    check        can't take what's already taken rule
    check        check let-go-before rule
    check        can't take scenery rule
    check        can't take what's fixed in place rule
    check        use player's holdall to avoid exceeding carrying capacity rule
    check        can't exceed carrying capacity rule
    carry out    standard taking rule
    carry out    check let-go-after rule
    report        don't report successful implicit takes rule
    report        standard report taking rule

Removing something from something (past tense removed it from)
    "take [things inside] from [something]"
    "take [things inside] off [something]"
    "get [things inside] from [something]"
    "remove [things inside] from [something]"
    check        can't take component parts rule
    check        can't remove what's not inside rule
    check        can't remove from people rule
    check        convert remove to take rule
    check        can't remove from closed containers rule
    check        can't take yourself rule
    check        can't take other people rule
    check        determine common ancestor for taking rule
    check        can't take people's possessions rule
    check        can't take what you're inside rule
    check        can't take what's already taken rule
    check        check let-go-before rule
    check        can't take scenery rule
    check        can't take what's fixed in place rule
    check        use player's holdall to avoid exceeding carrying capacity rule
    check        can't exceed carrying capacity rule
    carry out    standard taking rule
    carry out    check after-rules for taking too rule
    report        standard report removing rule

Dropping something (past tense dropped)
    "put down [things preferably held]"
    "put [things preferably held] down"
    "drop [things preferably held]"
    check        can't drop yourself rule
    check        can't drop what's already dropped rule
    check        can't drop what's not held rule
    check        can't drop clothes being worn rule
    check        can't drop if this exceeds carrying capacity rule
    carry out    standard dropping rule
    report        standard report dropping rule

Putting something on something (past tense put it on)
    "put [other things] on/onto [something]"
    "drop [other things] on/onto [something]"
    check        convert put to drop where possible rule
    check        can't put what's not held rule
    check        can't put something on itself rule
    check        check receive-before for supporter rule
    check        can't put onto what's not a supporter rule
    check        can't put onto something being carried rule
    check        can't put clothes being worn rule
    check        can't put if this exceeds carrying capacity rule
    carry out    standard putting rule
    carry out    check receive-after for supporter rule
    report        standard report putting rule

Inserting something into something (past tense inserted it into)
    "put [other things] in/inside/into [something]"
    "insert [other things] in/into [something]"
    "drop [other things] in/into/down [something]"
    check        convert insert to drop where possible rule
    check        can't insert what's not held rule
    check        can't insert something into itself rule
    check        can't insert component parts rule
    check        check receive-before for container rule
    check        can't insert into closed containers rule
    check        can't insert into what's not a container rule
    check        can't insert clothes being worn rule
    check        can't insert if this exceeds carrying capacity rule
    carry out    standard inserting rule
    carry out    check receive-after for container rule
    report        standard report inserting rule

Waiting (past tense waited)
    "wait"
    report        standard report waiting rule

Going something (past tense gone)
    "go"
    "go [direction]"
    check        set up going rule
    check        check to see if in a vehicle rule
    check        can't travel in what's not a vehicle rule
    check        determine direction property rule
    check        determine map connection rule
    check        print textual map connections rule
    check        consult routine map connections rule
    check        can't go that way rule
    check        can't go through concealed doors rule
    check        can't go through closed doors rule
    check        determine what's through door rule
    carry out    move player and vehicle rule
    carry out    move floating objects rule
    carry out    check light in new location rule
    report        describe room gone into rule

Entering something (past tense entered)
    "get in/into/on/onto [something]"
    "stand on [something]"
    "go [something]"
    "go into/in/inside/through [something]"
    "enter [something]"
    "sit on top of [something]"
    "sit on/in/inside [something]"
    check        convert enter door into go rule
    check        convert enter compass direction into go rule
    check        can't enter what's already entered rule
    check        can't enter what's not enterable rule
    check        can't enter closed containers rule
    check        determine common ancestor for entering rule
    check        can't enter something carried rule
    check        implicitly pass through other barriers rule
    carry out    standard entering rule
    report        standard report entering rule
    report        describe contents entered into rule

Exiting (past tense exited)
    "get out/off/up"
    "stand"
    "stand up"
    "exit"
    check        convert exit into go out rule
    check        can't exit when not inside anything rule
    check        can't exit closed containers rule
    carry out    standard exiting rule
    report        standard report exiting rule
    report        describe room emerged into rule

Getting off something (past tense got off)
    "get off [something]"
    check        convert get off to exit where possible rule
    check        can't get off things rule

Looking (past tense looked)
    "look"
    carry out    determine visibility ceiling rule
    carry out    room description heading rule
    carry out    room description body text rule
    carry out    room description paragraphs about objects rule
    carry out    consult LookRoutine entry point rule
    carry out    check new arrival rule
    report        report other people looking rule

Examining something (requires light) (past tense examined)
    "look at [something]"
    "examine [something]"
    "read [something]"
    carry out    examine undescribed containers rule
    carry out    examine undescribed devices rule
    carry out    examine undescribed things rule
    carry out    standard examining rule
    carry out    examine described devices rule
    report        report other people examining rule

Looking under something (requires light) (past tense looked under)
    "look under [something]"
    carry out    standard looking under rule
    report        report other people looking under rule

Searching something (requires light) (past tense searched)
    "look inside/in/into/through [something]"
    "search [something]"
    check        can't search unless container or supporter rule
    check        can't search closed opaque containers rule
    carry out    standard searching rule
    report        standard search containers rule
    report        standard search supporters rule
    report        report other people searching rule

Consulting something about some text (past tense consulted it about)
    "look up [text] in [something]" reversed
    "consult [something] on/about [text]"
    "read about [text] in [something]" reversed
    "read [text] in [something]" reversed
    report        block consulting rule

Locking something with something (past tense locked it with)
    "lock [something] with [something preferably held]"
    check        can't lock without a lock rule
    check        can't lock what's already locked rule
    check        can't lock what's open rule
    check        can't lock without the correct key rule
    carry out    standard locking rule
    report        standard report locking rule

Unlocking something with something (past tense unlocked it with)
    "open [something] with [something preferably held]"
    "unlock [something] with [something preferably held]"
    check        can't unlock without a lock rule
    check        can't unlock what's already unlocked rule
    check        can't unlock without the correct key rule
    carry out    standard unlocking rule
    report        standard report unlocking rule

Switching on something (past tense switched on)
    "turn [something] on"
    "turn on [something]"
    "switch [something]"
    "switch [something] on"
    check        can't switch on unless switchable rule
    check        can't switch on what's already on rule
    carry out    standard switching on rule
    report        standard report switching on rule

Switching off something (past tense switched off)
    "close off [something]"
    "turn [something] off"
    "turn off [something]"
    "switch [something] off"
    "switch off [something]"
    check        can't switch off unless switchable rule
    check        can't switch off what's already off rule
    carry out    standard switching off rule
    report        standard report switching off rule

Opening something (past tense opened)
    "open [something]"
    check        can't open unless openable rule
    check        can't open what's locked rule
    check        can't open what's already open rule
    carry out    standard opening rule
    report        reveal any newly visible exterior rule
    report        standard report opening rule

Closing something (past tense closed)
    "close [something]"
    "close up [something]"
    check        can't close unless openable rule
    check        can't close what's already closed rule
    carry out    standard closing rule
    report        standard report closing rule

Wearing something (past tense worn)
    "wear [something preferably held]"
    "put on [something preferably held]"
    check        can't wear what's not clothing rule
    check        can't wear what's not held rule
    check        can't wear what's already worn rule
    carry out    standard wearing rule
    report        standard report wearing rule

Taking off something (past tense taken off)
    "take off [something]"
    "remove [something preferably held]"
    "shed [something preferably held]"
    check        can't take off what's not worn rule
    carry out    standard taking off rule
    report        standard report taking off rule

Eating something (past tense eaten)
    "eat [something preferably held]"
    check        can't eat unless edible rule
    check        can't eat clothing without removing it first rule
    carry out    standard eating rule
    report        standard report eating rule

Giving something to something (past tense given it to)
    "give [something preferably held] to [someone]"
    "give [someone] [something preferably held]" reversed
    check        can't give what you haven't got rule
    check        can't give to yourself rule
    check        can't give to a non-person rule
    check        check life property for giving rule
    check        block giving rule
    carry out    standard giving rule
    report        standard report giving rule

Showing something to something (past tense shown it to)
    "show [someone] [something preferably held]" reversed
    "show [something preferably held] to [someone]"
    check        can't show what you haven't got rule
    check        convert show to yourself to examine rule
    check        check life property for showing rule
    check        block showing rule

Waking something (past tense woken)
    "wake [someone]"
    "wake [someone] up"
    "wake up [someone]"
    check        check life property for waking rule
    check        block waking rule

Throwing something at something (past tense thrown it at)
    "drop [something preferably held] at/against/on/onto [something]"
    check        check thrown-at rule
    check        implicitly remove thrown clothing rule
    check        futile to throw things at inanimate objects rule
    check        check life property for throwing at rule
    check        block throwing at rule

Attacking something (past tense attacked)
    "attack [something]"
    check        check life property for attacking rule
    check        block attacking rule

Kissing something (past tense kissed)
    "kiss [someone]"
    check        kissing yourself rule
    check        check life property for kissing rule
    check        block kissing rule

Answering something that some text (past tense answered it that)
    "answer [text] to [someone]" reversed
    check        check life property for answering rule
    report        block answering rule

Telling something about some text (past tense told it about)
    "tell [someone] about [text]"
    check        telling yourself rule
    check        check life property for telling rule
    report        block telling rule

Asking something about some text (past tense asked it about)
    "ask [someone] about [text]"
    check        check life property for asking rule
    report        block asking rule

Asking something for something (past tense asked it for)
    "ask [someone] for [something]"
    check        asking yourself for something rule
    check        translate asking for to giving rule

Touching something (past tense touched)
    "touch [something]"
    report        report touching yourself rule
    report        report touching other people rule
    report        report touching things rule

Waving something (past tense waved)
    "wave [something]"
    check        can't wave what's not held rule
    report        report waving things rule

Pulling something (past tense pulled)
    "pull [something]"
    check        can't pull what's fixed in place rule
    check        can't pull scenery rule
    check        can't pull people rule
    report        report pulling rule

Pushing something (past tense pushed)
    "push [something]"
    check        can't push what's fixed in place rule
    check        can't push scenery rule
    check        can't push people rule
    report        report pushing rule

Turning something (past tense turned)
    "turn [something]"
    check        can't turn what's fixed in place rule
    check        can't turn scenery rule
    check        can't turn people rule
    report        report turning rule

Pushing something to something (past tense pushed it to)
    "push [something] [direction]"
    "push [something] to [direction]"
    check        block pushing in directions rule

Squeezing something (past tense squeezed)
    "squeeze [something]"
    check        innuendo about squeezing people rule
    report        report squeezing rule

Saying yes (past tense said yes)
    "yes"
    check        block saying yes rule

Saying no (past tense said no)
    "no"
    check        block saying no rule

Burning something (past tense burned)
    "burn [something]"
    check        block burning rule

Waking up (past tense woken up)
    "wake"
    "wake up"
    check        block waking up rule

Thinking (past tense thought)
    "think"
    check        block thinking rule

Smelling something (past tense smelled)
    "smell"
    "smell [something]"
    check        block smelling rule

Listening to something (past tense listened to)
    "listen"
    "hear [something]"
    "listen to [something]"
    check        block listening rule

Tasting something (past tense tasted)
    "taste [something]"
    check        block tasting rule

Cutting something (past tense cut)
    "cut [something]"
    check        block cutting rule

Jumping (past tense jumped)
    "jump"
    check        block jumping rule

Tying something to something (past tense tied it to)
    "tie [something] to [something]"
    check        block tying rule

Drinking something (past tense drunk)
    "drink [something]"
    check        block drinking rule

Saying sorry (past tense said sorry)
    "sorry"
    check        block saying sorry rule

Swearing obscenely (past tense sworn obscenely)
    check        block swearing obscenely rule

Swearing mildly (past tense sworn mildly)
    check        block swearing mildly rule

Swinging something (past tense swung)
    "swing [something]"
    "swing on [something]"
    check        block swinging rule

Rubbing something (past tense rubbed)
    "rub [something]"
    check        block rubbing rule

Setting something to some text (past tense set it to)
    "set [something] to [text]"
    check        block setting to rule

Waving hands (past tense waved hands)
    "wave"
    check        block waving hands rule

Buying something (past tense bought)
    "buy [something]"
    check        block buying rule

Singing (past tense sung)
    "sing"
    check        block singing rule

Climbing something (past tense climbed)
    "climb [something]"
    "climb up/over [something]"
    check        block climbing rule

Sleeping (past tense slept)
    "sleep"
    check        block sleeping rule

Requesting the score (past tense requested the score)
    "score"
    carry out    announce the score rule

Quitting the game (past tense quitted the game)
    "quit"
    "q"
    carry out    quit the game rule

Saving the game (past tense saved the game)
    "save"
    carry out    save the game rule

Restoring the game (past tense restored the game)
    "restore"
    carry out    restore the game rule

Restarting the game (past tense restarted the game)
    "restart"
    carry out    restart the game rule

Verifying the story file (past tense verified the story file)
    "verify"
    carry out    verify the story file rule

Requesting the story file version (past tense requested the story file version)
    "version"
    carry out    announce the story file version rule

Switching the story transcript on (past tense switched the story transcript on)
    "script"
    "script on"
    "transcript"
    "transcript on"
    carry out    switch the story transcript on rule

Switching the story transcript off (past tense switched the story transcript off)
    "script off"
    "transcript off"
    carry out    switch the story transcript off rule

Preferring abbreviated room descriptions (past tense preferred abbreviated room descriptions)
    "superbrief"
    "short"
    carry out    prefer abbreviated room descriptions rule

Preferring unabbreviated room descriptions (past tense preferred unabbreviated room descriptions)
    "verbose"
    "long"
    carry out    prefer unabbreviated room descriptions rule

Preferring sometimes abbreviated room descriptions (past tense preferred sometimes abbreviated room descriptions)
    "brief"
    "normal"
    carry out    prefer sometimes abbreviated room descriptions rule

Requesting the pronoun meanings (past tense requested the pronoun meanings)
    "nouns"
    "pronouns"
    carry out    announce the pronoun meanings rule

Switching score notification on (past tense switched score notification on)
    "notify"
    "notify on"
    carry out    switch score notification on rule

Switching score notification off (past tense switched score notification off)
    "notify off"
    carry out    switch score notification off rule

Commands available to the player

"[direction]" - Going

"actions", a testing command not available in the final game
"adjust", same as "set" 
"answer [text] to [someone]" - Answering it that  (reversed)
"ask [someone] for [something]" - Asking it for 
"ask [someone] about [text]" - Asking it about 
"attach", same as "tie" 
"attack [something]" - Attacking 
"awake", same as "wake" 
"awaken", same as "wake" 

"break", same as "attack" 
"brief" - Preferring sometimes abbreviated room descriptions 
"burn [something]" - Burning 
"buy [something]" - Buying 

"carry", same as "take" 
"check", same as "examine" 
"chop", same as "cut" 
"clean", same as "rub" 
"clear", same as "push" 
"climb [something]" - Climbing 
"climb up/over [something]" - Climbing 
"close [something]" - Closing 
"close up [something]" - Closing 
"close off [something]" - Switching off 
"consult [something] on/about [text]" - Consulting it about 
"cover", same as "close" 
"crack", same as "attack" 
"cross", same as "enter" 
"cut [something]" - Cutting 

"describe", same as "examine" 
"destroy", same as "attack" 
"discard", same as "drop" 
"display", same as "show" 
"disrobe", same as "shed" 
"doff", same as "shed" 
"don", same as "wear" 
"drag", same as "pull" 
"drink [something]" - Drinking 
"drop [things preferably held]" - Dropping 
"drop [something preferably held] at/against/on/onto [something]" - Throwing it at 
"drop [other things] on/onto [something]" - Putting it on 
"drop [other things] in/into/down [something]" - Inserting it into 
"dust", same as "rub" 

"eat [something preferably held]" - Eating 
"embrace", same as "kiss" 
"enter [something]" - Entering 
"examine [something]" - Examining 
"exit" - Exiting 

"fasten", same as "tie" 
"feed", same as "give" 
"feel", same as "touch" 
"fight", same as "attack" 
"fix", same as "tie" 

"get out/off/up" - Exiting 
"get [things]" - Taking 
"get in/into/on/onto [something]" - Entering 
"get off [something]" - Getting off 
"get [things inside] from [something]" - Removing it from 
"give [someone] [something preferably held]" - Giving it to  (reversed)
"give [something preferably held] to [someone]" - Giving it to 
"go" - Going 
"go [direction]" - Going 
"go [something]" - Entering 
"go into/in/inside/through [something]" - Entering 

"hear [something]" - Listening to 
"hit", same as "attack" 
"hold", same as "take" 
"hop", same as "jump" 
"hug", same as "kiss" 

"i", same as "inventory" 
"insert [other things] in/into [something]" - Inserting it into 
"inv", same as "inventory" 
"inventory" - Taking inventory 

"jump" - Jumping 

"kill", same as "attack" 
"kiss [someone]" - Kissing 

"l", same as "look" 
"leave", same as "go" 
"light", same as "burn" 
"listen" - Listening to 
"listen to [something]" - Listening to 
"lock [something] with [something preferably held]" - Locking it with 
"long" - Preferring unabbreviated room descriptions 
"look" - Looking 
"look at [something]" - Examining 
"look inside/in/into/through [something]" - Searching 
"look under [something]" - Looking under 
"look up [text] in [something]" - Consulting it about  (reversed)

"move", same as "push" 
"murder", same as "attack" 

"nap", same as "sleep" 
"no" - Saying no 
"normal" - Preferring sometimes abbreviated room descriptions 
"notify" - Switching score notification on 
"notify on" - Switching score notification on 
"notify off" - Switching score notification off 
"nouns" - Requesting the pronoun meanings 

"offer", same as "give" 
"open [something]" - Opening 
"open [something] with [something preferably held]" - Unlocking it with 
"out", same as "exit" 

"pay", same as "give" 
"pick [things] up" - Taking 
"pick up [things]" - Taking 
"polish", same as "rub" 
"present", same as "show" 
"press", same as "push" 
"pronouns" - Requesting the pronoun meanings 
"prune", same as "cut" 
"pull [something]" - Pulling 
"punch", same as "attack" 
"purchase", same as "buy" 
"push [something]" - Pushing 
"push [something] [direction]" - Pushing it to 
"push [something] to [direction]" - Pushing it to 
"put on [something preferably held]" - Wearing 
"put [things preferably held] down" - Dropping 
"put down [things preferably held]" - Dropping 
"put [other things] on/onto [something]" - Putting it on 
"put [other things] in/inside/into [something]" - Inserting it into 

"q" - Quitting the game 
"quit" - Quitting the game 

"read [something]" - Examining 
"read about [text] in [something]" - Consulting it about  (reversed)
"read [text] in [something]" - Consulting it about  (reversed)
"relations", a testing command not available in the final game
"remove [something preferably held]" - Taking off 
"remove [things inside] from [something]" - Removing it from 
"restart" - Restarting the game 
"restore" - Restoring the game 
"rotate", same as "turn" 
"rub [something]" - Rubbing 
"run", same as "go" 

"save" - Saving the game 
"say", same as "answer" 
"scale", same as "climb" 
"scenes", a testing command not available in the final game
"score" - Requesting the score 
"screw", same as "turn" 
"script" - Switching the story transcript on 
"script on" - Switching the story transcript on 
"script off" - Switching the story transcript off 
"scrub", same as "rub" 
"search [something]" - Searching 
"set [something] to [text]" - Setting it to 
"shed [something preferably held]" - Taking off 
"shift", same as "push" 
"shine", same as "rub" 
"short" - Preferring abbreviated room descriptions 
"shout", same as "answer" 
"show [someone] [something preferably held]" - Showing it to  (reversed)
"show [something preferably held] to [someone]" - Showing it to 
"showme", a testing command not available in the final game
"shut", same as "close" 
"sing" - Singing 
"sip", same as "drink" 
"sit on/in/inside [something]" - Entering 
"sit on top of [something]" - Entering 
"skip", same as "jump" 
"sleep" - Sleeping 
"slice", same as "cut" 
"smash", same as "attack" 
"smell" - Smelling 
"smell [something]" - Smelling 
"sniff", same as "smell" 
"sorry" - Saying sorry 
"speak", same as "answer" 
"squash", same as "squeeze" 
"squeeze [something]" - Squeezing 
"stand" - Exiting 
"stand up" - Exiting 
"stand on [something]" - Entering 
"superbrief" - Preferring abbreviated room descriptions 
"swallow", same as "drink" 
"sweep", same as "rub" 
"swing [something]" - Swinging 
"swing on [something]" - Swinging 
"switch [something]" - Switching on 
"switch [something] on" - Switching on 
"switch [something] off" - Switching off 
"switch off [something]" - Switching off 

"take inventory" - Taking inventory 
"take [things]" - Taking 
"take off [something]" - Taking off 
"take [things inside] off [something]" - Removing it from 
"take [things inside] from [something]" - Removing it from 
"taste [something]" - Tasting 
"tell [someone] about [text]" - Telling it about 
"test", a testing command not available in the final game
"think" - Thinking 
"throw", same as "drop" 
"thump", same as "attack" 
"tie [something] to [something]" - Tying it to 
"torture", same as "attack" 
"touch [something]" - Touching 
"transcript" - Switching the story transcript on 
"transcript on" - Switching the story transcript on 
"transcript off" - Switching the story transcript off 
"turn [something]" - Turning 
"turn [something] on" - Switching on 
"turn on [something]" - Switching on 
"turn [something] off" - Switching off 
"turn off [something]" - Switching off 
"twist", same as "turn" 

"uncover", same as "open" 
"unlock [something] with [something preferably held]" - Unlocking it with 
"unscrew", same as "turn" 
"unwrap", same as "open" 

"verbose" - Preferring unabbreviated room descriptions 
"verify" - Verifying the story file 
"version" - Requesting the story file version 

"wait" - Waiting 
"wake" - Waking up 
"wake up" - Waking up 
"wake [someone]" - Waking 
"wake [someone] up" - Waking 
"wake up [someone]" - Waking 
"walk", same as "go" 
"watch", same as "examine" 
"wave" - Waving hands 
"wave [something]" - Waving 
"wear [something preferably held]" - Wearing 
"wipe", same as "rub" 
"wreck", same as "attack" 

"x", same as "examine" 

"y", same as "yes" 
"yes" - Saying yes 

"z", same as "wait"