Reporting Verbs

Exercises

Explanation

1. What are reporting verbs?

Common reporting verbs include:

• say, tell

• explain, mention, add

• promise, advise, warn

• suggest, recommend

• ask, wonder

• deny, admit

• complain, insist

These verbs help us show how the person spoke or why they spoke.

Examples:

• She explained that the meeting had moved to Friday.

• He denied taking the keys.

• They promised to help us later.

2. Reporting verbs + to-infinitive

Some reporting verbs are followed by to + infinitive.

Common verbs: agree, refuse, decide, offer, promise, threaten, plan

Examples:

• Mark agreed to help with the project.

• She refused to lend me her phone.

• They promised to arrive on time.

3. Reporting verbs + object + to-infinitive

Some verbs take an object (someone) + to-infinitive.

Common verbs: ask, tell, advise, warn, remind, persuade, encourage

Examples:

• The doctor advised me to rest.

• She reminded him to call his mother.

• They warned us not to swim there.

• I persuaded my friend to join the class.

4. Reporting verbs + -ing form

Some reporting verbs are followed by an -ing form.

Common verbs: deny, admit, suggest, recommend, consider

Examples:

• He admitted breaking the vase.

• She suggested ordering pizza.

• They recommended visiting the museum.

You can often use that after these verbs, but -ing is more natural.

5. Reporting verbs with prepositions + -ing

Some reporting verbs must be used with a preposition.

• apologise for

• accuse someone of

• blame someone for

• complain about

• insist on

• confess to

• prevent someone from

Examples:

• She apologised for being late.

• They accused him of cheating.

• He insisted on paying for the meal.

• The rain prevented us from leaving early.

6. Reporting questions

For reporting questions, we usually use:

• ask

• wonder

• want to know

Examples:

• She asked where the library was.

• I wondered if the shop was open.

• They wanted to know when the train arrived.

7. Reporting suggestions

Common verbs for suggestions:

• suggest

• recommend

• propose

These verbs are usually followed by -ing:

Examples:

• She suggested taking a taxi.

• They recommended staying at the new hotel.

• He proposed moving the meeting online.

8. Summary table