Reporting Verbs

Reporting Verbs

1. TELL

   • We need to use an object, a person who we tell the information to.
     • Tell + someone + (that) + clause
       • I told John (that) I had seen the new film.
     • Tell + someone + to + infinitive
       • She told the children to go to bed.

2. ASK

   • To report questions or requests
     • Ask + someone + if / question word + clause
       • I asked my boss if I could leave early.
     • ask + someone + to + infinitive
       • I asked Lucy to pass me the salt.

3. SAY

   • Say + (that) + clause
     • She said (that) she had already eaten.

4. WARN

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

5. ADVISE

   • Advise + someone + to + infinitive
     • She advised him to see a doctor.
   • Advise + (that) + clause
     • The staff advise that you carry water at all times.
   • Advise + against + verb-ing
     • I'd advise against leaving early.

6. REMIND

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

7. AGREE

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

8. APOLOGISE

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

9. RECOMMEND

   • 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

10. PROMISE

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

11. DECIDE

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

12. EXPLAIN

    • Explain + (that) + clause
      • The teacher explained that the course was finished.
    • Explain + noun + to + someone
      • She explained the grammar to the students.
    • Explain + question word + clause
      • We explained what the exams would cover.
    • Explain + question word + to + infinitive
      • John explained where to find the restaurant.

13. INSIST

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

14. ENCOURAGE

    • Encourage + someone + to + infinitive
      • She encouraged him to take the exam again.

15. SUGGEST

    • Suggest + verb-ing
      • I suggest leaving soon
    • Suggest + (that) + clause
      • I suggest that you come as soon as you can.

16. Negatives

    • To make the verbs that we have reported negative, we need to look at the verb pattern
      • When there's 'to + infinitive', we generally put 'not' before 'to': He promised not to do it again.