<\/p>\n
When we report what someone said, thought, or asked, we often use reporting verbs<\/strong>. These verbs introduce the reported information and show the speaker\u2019s intention \u2014 whether they are stating, asking, advising, promising, or ordering. In this guide, you\u2019ll learn how to use reporting verbs effectively, how to form sentences with correct patterns, and how meaning changes depending on the verb used.<\/p>\n Reporting verbs<\/strong> are verbs that we use to introduce reported speech<\/strong> (indirect speech). They describe how<\/strong> someone communicated their message, not just what<\/strong> they said.<\/p>\n Examples:<\/p>\n He said<\/strong> that he was tired.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n She told<\/strong> me to wait.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n They asked<\/strong> if we were ready.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n The teacher advised<\/strong> us to study harder.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Each verb gives extra information about the speaker\u2019s tone or intention.<\/p>\n Different reporting verbs belong to different categories depending on their meaning and function. Here are the main groups:<\/p>\n These simply report what someone said.<\/p>\n say<\/p>\n<\/li>\n tell<\/p>\n<\/li>\n remark<\/p>\n<\/li>\n explain<\/p>\n<\/li>\n add<\/p>\n<\/li>\n reply<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Examples:<\/strong><\/p>\n He said<\/strong> that he was late.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n She told me<\/strong> she needed help.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n The teacher explained<\/strong> that the exam would start at 9 a.m.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Note:<\/strong><\/p>\n Say<\/em> is used without a direct object: \u201cHe said that\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Tell<\/em> needs an object: \u201cHe told me<\/strong> that\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n These verbs express opinions or beliefs.<\/p>\n think<\/p>\n<\/li>\n believe<\/p>\n<\/li>\n suppose<\/p>\n<\/li>\n expect<\/p>\n<\/li>\n imagine<\/p>\n<\/li>\n guess<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Examples:<\/strong><\/p>\n She believed<\/strong> that he was innocent.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n I thought<\/strong> he would arrive earlier.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n We expected<\/strong> the meeting to start on time.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n These verbs are used to propose an action or idea.<\/p>\n suggest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n recommend<\/p>\n<\/li>\n advise<\/p>\n<\/li>\n propose<\/p>\n<\/li>\n urge<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Examples:<\/strong><\/p>\n She suggested<\/strong> that we go out for dinner.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n He advised me<\/strong> to take the train.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n They urged<\/strong> us to finish before the deadline.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n These verbs show commitment or willingness.<\/p>\n promise<\/p>\n<\/li>\n agree<\/p>\n<\/li>\n offer<\/p>\n<\/li>\n refuse<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Examples:<\/strong><\/p>\n He promised<\/strong> to call me back.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n She agreed<\/strong> to help with the project.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n They refused<\/strong> to leave.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n These verbs show authority or instruction.<\/p>\n order<\/p>\n<\/li>\n command<\/p>\n<\/li>\n tell<\/p>\n<\/li>\n warn<\/p>\n<\/li>\n instruct<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Examples:<\/strong><\/p>\n The officer ordered<\/strong> the soldiers to move forward.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n The teacher told<\/strong> the students to be quiet.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n She warned<\/strong> him not to be late.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Each reporting verb follows a specific grammatical pattern. Let\u2019s look at the most frequent structures.<\/p>\n Used with verbs like say, think, believe, explain, admit, deny<\/em>.<\/p>\n Examples:<\/strong><\/p>\n He said (that)<\/strong> he was tired.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n She admitted (that)<\/strong> she made a mistake.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n They denied (that)<\/strong> they were responsible.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n The word that<\/em> can often be omitted in spoken English:<\/p>\n He said he was tired.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Used with verbs like tell, inform, remind, assure, convince<\/em>.<\/p>\n Examples:<\/strong><\/p>\n She told me (that)<\/strong> she was moving abroad.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n He reminded us (that)<\/strong> the deadline was tomorrow.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n They assured me (that)<\/strong> everything was fine.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Used with verbs like agree, promise, offer, refuse, threaten, decide, plan, expect, ask<\/em>.<\/p>\n Examples:<\/strong><\/p>\n He agreed to help<\/strong> me.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n She promised to call<\/strong> later.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n They refused to leave<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n I asked to speak<\/strong> to the manager.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Used with verbs like tell, advise, ask, persuade, warn, remind, invite, order, encourage<\/em>.<\/p>\n Examples:<\/strong><\/p>\n She told me to wait<\/strong> here.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n He advised me to rest<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n They encouraged us to apply<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n The boss ordered everyone to stop talking<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Used with verbs like admit, deny, suggest, recommend, avoid, consider, imagine<\/em>.<\/p>\n Examples:<\/strong><\/p>\n She admitted stealing<\/strong> the money.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n He denied breaking<\/strong> the window.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n I suggested going<\/strong> out for lunch.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Note that suggest<\/em> and recommend<\/em> are not<\/strong> followed by an infinitive: Used with verbs like apologize for, insist on, confess to, complain about, accuse of<\/em>.<\/p>\n Examples:<\/strong><\/p>\n He apologized for being<\/strong> late.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n She insisted on paying<\/strong> the bill.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n They accused him of lying<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Used with verbs like thank for, prevent from, blame for, congratulate on, warn against<\/em>.<\/p>\n Examples:<\/strong><\/p>\n She thanked me for helping<\/strong> her.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n They prevented us from leaving<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n He blamed me for losing<\/strong> the keys.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n When reporting questions, the structure changes depending on the question type.<\/p>\n Use ask + if\/whether + clause<\/em>.<\/p>\n Direct: \u201cDid you see her?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Reported: He asked if<\/strong> I had seen her.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Use ask + wh-word + clause<\/em>.<\/p>\n Direct: \u201cWhere do you live?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Reported: She asked where<\/strong> I lived.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n No auxiliary verb or question mark is needed in reported questions.<\/p>\n Sometimes we use the passive form<\/strong> of reporting verbs, especially in formal writing or news reports.<\/p>\n Pattern:<\/strong> It is said \/ believed \/ reported that\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n Examples:<\/strong><\/p>\n It is said that<\/em> the company will expand next year.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n It is believed that<\/em> the suspect has escaped.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
\nWhat Are Reporting Verbs?<\/h2>\n
\n
\nCategories of Reporting Verbs<\/h2>\n
1. Verbs of Saying<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n2. Verbs of Thinking and Believing<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\n3. Verbs of Suggesting and Recommending<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\n4. Verbs of Promising and Agreeing<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\n5. Verbs of Ordering and Commanding<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\nCommon Patterns After Reporting Verbs<\/h2>\n
\n1. Verb + (that) + clause<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\n2. Verb + object + (that) + clause<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
\n3. Verb + to + infinitive<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
\n4. Verb + object + to + infinitive<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
\n5. Verb + -ing form<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
\u274c She suggested to go.
\u2705 She suggested going.
\u2705 She suggested that we go.<\/p>\n
\n6. Verb + preposition + -ing form<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
\n7. Verb + object + preposition + -ing form<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n
\nReporting Verbs in Questions<\/h2>\n
1. Yes\/No Questions<\/h3>\n
\n
2. Wh- Questions<\/h3>\n
\n
\nReporting Verbs with Passive Voice<\/h2>\n
\n