Resource centre English grammar teaching reporting verbs

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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