REPORTING VERBS

REPORTING VERBS

1. SAY:Let's look first at the verbs we've already talked about. The basic verb pattern for using 'say' for reported speech is:

   • EX
     • say + (that) + clause

2. TELL:On the other hand, with 'tell' we need to use an object, a person who we tell the information to. See also my page about the difference between 'say' and 'tell' here.

   • EX
     • tell + someone + (that) + clause

3. ASK:We use 'ask' to report questions or requests. For questions we use the pattern:

   • EX
     • ask + someone + if / question word + clause

4. ADVISE:Give someone advice. Notice the different spelling for the verb and the noun:

   • EX
     • 1 Advise + someone + to + infinitive 2 Advise + (that) + clause 3 Advise + against + verb-ing

5. AGREE

   • EX
     • Agree + to + infinitive We agreed to meet the following day. Agree + (that) + clause I agreed that the children could do their homework later.

6. APOLOGISE

   • EX
     • Apologise + (to + someone) + for + verb-ing They apologised to us for being late. She apologised for forgetting the book. Apologise (+ to + someone) + for + noun She apologised for the delay.

7. DECIDE

   • EX
     • Decide + to + infinitive They decided to go to the cinema. Decide + (that) + clause They decided that they would go to the cinema.

8. ENCOURAGE

   • EX
     • Encourage + someone + to + infinitive She encouraged him to take the exam again. The teacher encouraged the students to ask questions.

9. EXPLAIN

   • EX
     • Explain + (that) + clause The teacher explained that the course was finished. Explain + noun + to + someone She explained the grammar to the students. NOT: She explained me the grammar. Explain + question word + to + infinitive They explained how to buy a train ticket on the internet. John explained where to find the restaurant. Explain + question word + clause We explained what the exams would cover.

10. INSIST

    • EX
      • Insist + on + verb-ing He insisted on paying. Insist + (that) + clause He insisted that we sit down.

11. PROMISE

    • EX
      • Promise + to + infinitive He promised to arrive early. Promise + (someone) + (that) + clause I promised him that I wouldn't do it again.

12. RECOMMEND

    • EX
      • Recommend + verb-ing I recommend visiting the British Museum while you're in London. Recommend + (that) + clause I recommend that you visit the British Museum

13. REMIND

    • EX
      • Remind + someone + to + infinitive She reminded him to take his keys. Remind + someone + (that) + clause They reminded me that there is a party tonight.

14. SUGGEST

    • EX
      • Suggest + verb-ing I suggest leaving soon Suggest + (that) + clause I suggest that you come as soon as you can. NOT: I suggest him to come.

15. WARN

    • EX
      • Warn + someone + (not) + to + infinitive I warned them not to go in the water. Warn + someone + about + something She warned us about the dangerous road