Reporting Verbs and Common Patterns: English Grammar Guide

When we report what someone said, thought, or asked, we often use reporting verbs. These verbs introduce the reported information and show the speaker’s intention — whether they are stating, asking, advising, promising, or ordering. In this guide, you’ll learn how to use reporting verbs effectively, how to form sentences with correct patterns, and how meaning changes depending on the verb used.

What Are Reporting Verbs?

Reporting verbs are verbs that we use to introduce reported speech (indirect speech). They describe how someone communicated their message, not just what they said.

Examples:

• He said that he was tired.

• She told me to wait.

• They asked if we were ready.

• The teacher advised us to study harder.

Each verb gives extra information about the speaker’s tone or intention.

Categories of Reporting Verbs

Different reporting verbs belong to different categories depending on their meaning and function. Here are the main groups:

1. Verbs of Saying

These simply report what someone said.

• say

• tell

• remark

• explain

• add

• reply

Examples:

• He said that he was late.

• She told me she needed help.

• The teacher explained that the exam would start at 9 a.m.

Note:

• Say is used without a direct object: “He said that…”

• Tell needs an object: “He told me that…”

2. Verbs of Thinking and Believing

These verbs express opinions or beliefs.

• think

• believe

• suppose

• expect

• imagine

• guess

Examples:

• She believed that he was innocent.

• I thought he would arrive earlier.

• We expected the meeting to start on time.

3. Verbs of Suggesting and Recommending

These verbs are used to propose an action or idea.

• suggest

• recommend

• advise

• propose

• urge

Examples:

• She suggested that we go out for dinner.

• He advised me to take the train.

• They urged us to finish before the deadline.

4. Verbs of Promising and Agreeing

These verbs show commitment or willingness.

• promise

• agree

• offer

• refuse

Examples:

• He promised to call me back.

• She agreed to help with the project.

• They refused to leave.

5. Verbs of Ordering and Commanding

These verbs show authority or instruction.

• order

• command

• tell

• warn

• instruct

Examples:

• The officer ordered the soldiers to move forward.

• The teacher told the students to be quiet.

• She warned him not to be late.

Common Patterns After Reporting Verbs

Each reporting verb follows a specific grammatical pattern. Let’s look at the most frequent structures.

1. Verb + (that) + clause

Used with verbs like say, think, believe, explain, admit, deny.

Examples:

• He said (that) he was tired.

• She admitted (that) she made a mistake.

• They denied (that) they were responsible.

The word that can often be omitted in spoken English:

• He said he was tired.

2. Verb + object + (that) + clause

Used with verbs like tell, inform, remind, assure, convince.

Examples:

• She told me (that) she was moving abroad.

• He reminded us (that) the deadline was tomorrow.

• They assured me (that) everything was fine.

3. Verb + to + infinitive

Used with verbs like agree, promise, offer, refuse, threaten, decide, plan, expect, ask.

Examples:

• He agreed to help me.

• She promised to call later.

• They refused to leave.

• I asked to speak to the manager.

4. Verb + object + to + infinitive

Used with verbs like tell, advise, ask, persuade, warn, remind, invite, order, encourage.

Examples:

• She told me to wait here.

• He advised me to rest.

• They encouraged us to apply.

• The boss ordered everyone to stop talking.

5. Verb + -ing form

Used with verbs like admit, deny, suggest, recommend, avoid, consider, imagine.

Examples:

• She admitted stealing the money.

• He denied breaking the window.

• I suggested going out for lunch.

Note that suggest and recommend are not followed by an infinitive:
❌ She suggested to go.
✅ She suggested going.
✅ She suggested that we go.

6. Verb + preposition + -ing form

Used with verbs like apologize for, insist on, confess to, complain about, accuse of.

Examples:

• He apologized for being late.

• She insisted on paying the bill.

• They accused him of lying.

7. Verb + object + preposition + -ing form

Used with verbs like thank for, prevent from, blame for, congratulate on, warn against.

Examples:

• She thanked me for helping her.

• They prevented us from leaving.

• He blamed me for losing the keys.

Reporting Verbs in Questions

When reporting questions, the structure changes depending on the question type.

1. Yes/No Questions

Use ask + if/whether + clause.

• Direct: “Did you see her?”

• Reported: He asked if I had seen her.

2. Wh- Questions

Use ask + wh-word + clause.

• Direct: “Where do you live?”

• Reported: She asked where I lived.

No auxiliary verb or question mark is needed in reported questions.

Reporting Verbs with Passive Voice

Sometimes we use the passive form of reporting verbs, especially in formal writing or news reports.

Pattern: It is said / believed / reported that…

Examples:

• It is said that the company will expand next year.

• It is believed that the suspect has escaped.

• It is reported that the president will visit Cebu.

Alternatively, you can start with the subject:

• The company is said to be expanding next year.

• The suspect is believed to have escaped.

Subtle Meaning Differences

Even similar reporting verbs can have different nuances.

Changing Tense and Pronouns

When using reporting verbs, we usually apply backshift (change in tense) if the reporting verb is in the past.

• Direct: “I am hungry.”

• Reported: He said (that) he was hungry.

Pronouns and time expressions also change:

• “I’ll see you tomorrow.” → He said he would see me the next day.

However, if the situation is still true, we can keep the original tense:

• She said she lives in Cebu. (still true now)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. ❌ He told that he was tired.
   ✅ He told me that he was tired.
   (tell needs an object)

2. ❌ She suggested to go out.
   ✅ She suggested going out.

3. ❌ He said me the truth.
   ✅ He told me the truth. or He said the truth.

4. ❌ They explained me the problem.
   ✅ They explained the problem to me.

Practice Sentences

Try converting these into reported speech:

1. “I’ll help you,” she said.
   → She promised to help me.

2. “Don’t touch that!” he said.
   → He warned me not to touch it.

3. “Let’s go to the beach,” they said.
   → They suggested going to the beach.

4. “Please close the door,” she said.
   → She asked me to close the door.

Conclusion

Mastering reporting verbs and common patterns allows you to express indirect communication naturally and precisely. Each reporting verb adds a different shade of meaning — from polite suggestions (advise, recommend) to firm commands (order, tell).

When you practice, focus not only on grammar but also on intent: why the speaker said it. Understanding this connection helps you choose the right reporting verb and structure for any situation in English communication.

What are reporting verbs?

Reporting verbs are verbs that introduce reported (indirect) speech and signal the speaker’s intention—stating, asking, advising, promising, or commanding. Common examples include say, tell, ask, advise, promise, warn, recommend, and order. Each verb subtly changes the meaning of the sentence by indicating the manner of communication.

How is “say” different from “tell”?

Say does not take an indirect object: “He said (that) he was tired.” Tell requires an object (the listener): “He told me (that) he was tired.” If you mention the listener, choose tell; if not, use say.

When can I omit “that” in reported clauses?

In most informal contexts, you can drop that after many reporting verbs: “She said (that) she was busy.” Keeping that may improve clarity in longer or more complex sentences, formal writing, or when multiple clauses are nested.

What patterns commonly follow reporting verbs?

The main patterns are:

• Verb + (that) + clause: say, think, admit, deny (“He admitted (that) he was wrong.”)
• Verb + object + (that) + clause: tell, inform, assure (“She assured me (that) it was safe.”)
• Verb + to-infinitive: agree, refuse, promise, decide (“They agreed to help.”)
• Verb + object + to-infinitive: advise, ask, order, persuade, remind, warn (“He advised me to rest.”)
• Verb + -ing: suggest, recommend, admit, deny (“She suggested going early.”)
• Verb + preposition + -ing: apologize for, insist on, accuse of (“He apologized for being late.”)

Why can’t we say “suggest to do”?

Suggest and recommend are not followed by a to-infinitive. Use either the -ing form (“She suggested going”) or a that-clause, often with a mandative structure (“She suggested that we go”). Avoid “suggest to go.”

How do we report yes/no questions?

Use ask + if/whether + clause and normal statement word order (no auxiliary inversion, no question mark): “Did you see her?” → “He asked if I had seen her.” Choose whether when a clear alternative is implied or to sound slightly more formal.

How do we report wh- questions?

Use ask + wh-word + clause with statement order: “Where do you live?” → “She asked where I lived.” Do not use a question mark and do not invert the subject and auxiliary in the reported clause.

What is backshift in reported speech?

Backshift is the typical change of tense when the reporting verb is past: present → past (“am” → “was”), will → would, present perfect → past perfect. Example: “I am hungry.” → “He said he was hungry.” However, when the fact is still true, you may keep the original tense: “She said she lives in Cebu.”

How do pronouns and time words change?

Pronouns shift to match perspective: “I” → “he/she,” “you” → “me/us” (depending on context). Time words also shift: “today” → “that day,” “tomorrow” → “the next day,” “yesterday” → “the previous day,” “now” → “then,” “here” → “there.”

Which reporting verbs show suggestions and advice?

Use suggest, recommend, advise, propose, and urge. Typical patterns: “She advised me to leave early.” / “He suggested going by bus.” / “They proposed that we meet at 10.”

Which verbs express promises, offers, and refusals?

Use to-infinitives: “He promised to call,” “She offered to help,” “They refused to cooperate.” These verbs directly encode intention or commitment, so the to-infinitive is natural.

How do we report commands and requests?

Use verb + object + to-infinitive for positive commands: “The officer ordered the team to move.” Use not + to-infinitive for prohibitions: “She warned me not to be late.” For polite requests, ask + object + to-infinitive: “He asked me to close the window.”

What’s the passive reporting structure (“It is said…”)?

In formal styles and news reports, we often use passive reporting: “It is said that prices will rise” or “The company is expected to expand.” With perfect infinitives, we reference earlier actions: “The suspect is believed to have escaped.”

Can I use “explain” like “tell”?

Explain typically takes a direct object only when the object is a thing, not a person: “They explained the problem.” To mention the listener, add a prepositional phrase: “They explained the problem to me.” Avoid “They explained me the problem.”

What are common errors with reporting verbs?

• Using tell without an object: ❌ “He told that…” → ✅ “He told me that…”
• Using to-infinitive after suggest/recommend: ❌ “She suggested to go” → ✅ “She suggested going.”
• Keeping question word order in reported questions: ❌ “She asked where do I live” → ✅ “She asked where I lived.”
• Confusing say and tell: ❌ “He said me” → ✅ “He told me” or “He said (that)…”

How do I choose the right reporting verb?

Match the verb to the speaker’s intention: neutral statement (say), information addressed to someone (tell), opinion (think/believe), suggestion (suggest/recommend), instruction (advise/order/warn), promise or willingness (promise/agree/offer), refusal (refuse). If tone matters (polite, urgent, firm), pick the verb that encodes it.

Do reporting verbs affect the nuance of meaning?

Yes. “She said we should leave” sounds neutral. “She advised us to leave” implies expert guidance. “She urged us to leave” sounds urgent. “She ordered us to leave” conveys authority. The verb shapes how readers interpret the speaker’s attitude.

When should I avoid backshift?

Avoid backshift when the reported information remains true or is a general fact: “The teacher said water boils at 100°C.” In academic or technical contexts, facts often keep their present tense even after past reporting verbs.

How do conditional sentences change in reported speech?

First conditionals usually shift will → would and present → past: “If it rains, I’ll stay home” → “He said that if it rained, he would stay home.” Zero conditionals expressing general truths often keep present forms: “She said if you heat ice, it melts.”

What about modal verbs in reported speech?

Many modals backshift: will → would, can → could, may → might. Some modals don’t normally change: could, might, should, would, ought to. Example: “I can help” → “He said he could help.”

How do we report suggestions with “let’s”?

Use suggest with -ing or a that-clause: “Let’s go to the beach” → “They suggested going to the beach” or “They suggested that we go to the beach.” Avoid “They suggested us to go.”

Can I combine reporting verbs with adverbs of manner?

Yes. Adverbs and adverbial phrases refine tone and intent: “She firmly advised me to stop,” “He politely asked me to wait,” “They strongly recommended taking the train.” Use adverbs sparingly for clarity.

How do I report negative statements and prohibitions?

Negate within the reported clause: “I don’t like coffee” → “She said she didn’t like coffee.” For prohibitions, use warn/advise/order + object + not + to-infinitive: “Don’t touch that” → “He warned me not to touch it.”

What are concise templates I can reuse?

• Neutral report: “X said (that) S + V.”
• Info to listener: “X told + object (that) S + V.”
• Request: “X asked + object + to V.”
• Advice: “X advised + object + to V.”
• Suggestion: “X suggested V-ing / that + clause.”
• Command: “X ordered + object + to V.”
• Promise/Offer/Refusal: “X promised/offered/refused to V.”

How can I practice reporting verbs effectively?

Convert dialogues to indirect speech, categorize each sentence by intention (state, ask, advise, command, promise), and choose a verb that encodes that intention. Then apply the correct pattern (clause, to-infinitive, -ing). Finally, check for backshift, pronoun/time changes, and object requirements (tell).

Quick self-check before submitting writing

• Did I choose a reporting verb that matches the speaker’s intention?
• Does my pattern match the verb (e.g., tell + object, suggest + V-ing)?
• Are tense, pronoun, and time references shifted appropriately?
• Did I avoid common errors like “explain me,” “suggest to,” and inverted word order in reported questions?

English Grammar Guide: Complete Rules, Examples, and Tips for All Levels