Reporting verbs

Form, functions and examples

1. We use reporting verbs to report what someone said more accurately than using 'say' and 'tell'.

verb + infinitive

agree
decide
offer
promise
refuse
threaten

They agreed to meet on Friday.
He refused to take his coat off.

verb + object + infinitive

advise
encourage
invite
remind
warn

Tom advised me to go home early.
She reminded me to telephone my mother.

verb + gerund

deny
recommend
suggest
They recommended taking the bus.
She suggested meeting a little earlier.

verb + object + preposition (+ gerund)

accuse
blame
congratulate

He accused me of taking the money.
They congratulated me on passing all my exams.
My brother blamed me for the accident.

verb + preposition + gerund

apologize
insist

They apologized for not coming.
He insisted on having dinner.

verb + (that)

admit
agree
decide
deny
explain
insist
promise
recommend
suggest

Sarah decided (that) the house needed cleaning.
They recommended (that) we take the bus.

See also: Reported speech / Reported questions

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