What are reporting verbs in English? Here you will find a list of reporting verbs used in indirect speech, important grammar rules, and useful examples.
Reporting Verbs
What is a Reporting Verb?
Direct speech is a form of speech where the speaker gives first-hand information, whereas indirect speech is reported on behalf of someone else. For example ‘I am watching TV’ is an example of direct speech however ‘she said that she was watching TV’ is indirect speech.
We use the reported speech when we want to tell someone what another person said without using his/her exact words, adapting them to the new circumstances in which they are repeated.
A reported speech sentence has two parts:
Introductory Clause + Indirect Clause.
Example: He said that they were classmates. (Introductory clause: He said that, Indirect clause: They were classmates.)
In the introductory clause, we need a reporting verb. There are about 248 verbs to introduce the reported speech in English.
List of Reporting Verbs (with Examples)
Tell, Say & Ask
The commonest verbs to introduce the reported speech are: Tell, Say and Ask. Some important aspects about these verbs are that:
Tell
- Can be followed by THAT, but it can be omitted.
- Need an indirect object.
Say
- Can be followed by THAT, but it can be omitted.
- Can have an indirect object or not. If it has an indirect objects, this must be introduced by the particle “to”.
- He said that Sarah was working. (no indirect object)
- He said to me that Sarah was working. (with indirect object)
Ask
- Can have an indirect object or not.
- Can be used to report questions.
Example: She asked (me) where I lived.
- Can be used to report imperatives or requests
Example: She asked (me) to babysit for her on Friday.
In reported speech, we normally use a “that clause”, but depending on the reporting verbs used other structures are also possible.
Verb + that + clause
Complain
Example: She complained that I was always late.
Deny
Example: She denied that she had flown in an aeroplane.
Explain
Example: He explained that it was an easy recipe to follow.
Exclaim/remark
Example: She exclaimed/remarked that he was a beautiful baby.
Promise
Example: She promised that she would call me.
Boast
Example: He boasted that he was a brilliant dentist.
Inform somebody
Example: He informed me that I would be called for an interview.
Claim
Example: He claimed that he knew the answer.
Agree
Example: He agreed that it was a beautiful hat.
Suggest
Example: He suggested that I (should) take the other road.
Verb + to + infinitive
Agree
Example: He agreed to cook for me.
Offer
Example: He offered to carry her baby.
Refuse
Example: She refused to buy me a car.
Demand
Example: He demanded to be told the truth.
Threaten
Example: He threatened to punish me if I didn’t behave myself.
Promise
Example: He promised to marry her when he returned.
Claim
Example: He claimed to have heard her say that.
Verb + Indirect Object + to + infinitive
Advise
Example: He advised me to take a coat.
Allow
Example: He allowed me to park over there.
Beg
Example: She begged me to call the police.
Command
Example: He commanded them to drop their weapons.
Encourage
Example: He encouraged me to phone her.
Forbid
Example: My doctor forbade me to eat sweets.
Invite
Example: She invited me to go to his house.
Want
Example: He wanted me to drink a cup of tea.
Instruct
Example: He instructed me to insert coin.
Permit
Example: My parents permitted me to travel with my friends.
Urge
Example: He urged me to finish reading the book.
Order
She ordered me to get out of bed.
Remind
Example: She reminded me to take out the garbage.
Warn
Example: She warned me not to go near the oven.
Verb + “ing” form
Admit (to)
Example: He admitted (to) stealing/having stolen her money.
Accuse somebody of
Example: She accused me of breaking the cup.
Apologize for
Example: He apologized for shouting/having shouted at me.
Boast about/ of
Example: He boasted of/about being the cleverest of all.
Complain to somebody of
Example: She complained to me of having a toothache.
Deny
Example: He denied murdering/having murdered his wife.
Insist on
Example: She insisted on me/my wearing warm clothes.
Suggest
Example: She suggested going to the theatre.
Verb + how
Explain to somebody
Example: He explained to me how to make polite conversation.
Wonder
Wonder where/what/why/how + clause
When the subject of the reporting verb is not the same as the subject in the reported question.
Example:
- She wondered how he could reach the top.
- He wondered where Joan was.
- He wondered why she was crying.
‘Wonder + whether + to-inf or clause’ or ‘Wonder where/what/how + to-inf or clause’
When the subject of the infinitive is the same as the subject of the verb.
Example:
- He wondered whether to buy that blender.
- He wondered where he had gone wrong in his calculations.
- He wondered what he should wear.
- He wondered how to get to the post office.
Reporting Verbs | Images
(Useful Reporting Verbs in Reported Speech)
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