Grammar › Reported Speech › Reporting Verbs
Reporting Verbs
Reporting verbs make the meaning precise. Group them by their pattern:
- + to-infinitive: offer, promise, agree, refuse, threaten (She promised to call).
- + object + to-infinitive: advise, warn, remind, encourage (He advised me to wait).
- + -ing (or that-clause): suggest, recommend, admit, deny (She suggested taking a break).
A few take a preposition + -ing: apologise for doing, insist on doing, accuse someone of doing. Learn each verb with its pattern.
Reporting verbs by pattern
| Pattern | Verbs | Example |
|---|---|---|
| verb + to-infinitive | offer, promise, agree, refuse, threaten | He offered to help. |
| verb + object + to-infinitive | advise, warn, remind, encourage, invite | She advised me to rest. |
| verb + -ing | suggest, recommend, admit, deny | He suggested leaving early. |
| verb + preposition + -ing | apologise for, insist on, accuse (sb) of | She apologised for being late. |
Each reporting verb has its own pattern — learn the verb and pattern together.
When and how to use them
1. + to-infinitive
- “I’ll pay.” → He promised to pay.
- “No, I won’t.” → She refused to go.
2. + object + to-infinitive
- “You should see a doctor.” → He advised me to see a doctor.
- “Don’t forget your keys.” → She reminded me to take my keys.
3. + -ing
- “Let’s take a break.” → He suggested taking a break.
- “It was me.” → She admitted breaking the vase.
⚠️ Typical error: suggest doesn’t take an object + to-infinitive: She suggested going / She suggested that we go — not
she suggested me to go.
Common mistakes
1. ‘Suggest someone to do’. He suggested me to leave → He suggested leaving / He suggested that I leave.
2. Wrong pattern after ‘advise’. She advised to rest → She advised me to rest (needs an object).
3. Missing the preposition. He apologised being late → He apologised for being late. Pro tip: memorise each reporting verb with its pattern — to-infinitive, object + to-infinitive, or -ing.
✏️ Practice: Reporting Verbs
1. "I'll help you." → He offered ___ me.
2. "You should rest." → The doctor advised me ___.
3. "Let's leave early." → She suggested ___ early.
4. "No, I won't do it." → He refused ___ it.
5. "I'm sorry I'm late." → She apologised ___ late.
6. "Don't forget the meeting." → He reminded me ___ the meeting.
7. "It was me who broke it." → She admitted ___ it.
8. Correct this: 'He suggested me to call a taxi.'
9. "I promise I'll be there." → She promised ___ there.
10. "You really should apply for it." → She encouraged me ___ for it.
Frequently asked questions
Why use reporting verbs instead of say and tell?
They show the function of what was said in one word: He offered to help (not just 'He said he would help'). This makes reports clearer and more natural.
Which verbs take a to-infinitive?
offer, promise, agree, refuse, threaten, decide: She agreed to come; He refused to pay.
Which verbs take an object + to-infinitive?
advise, warn, remind, encourage, invite, tell, ask: She encouraged me to apply.
Which verbs take -ing?
suggest, recommend, admit, deny, and prepositional verbs like apologise for and insist on: He admitted taking it; She apologised for being late.
👩🏫 For teachers
CEFR objectives for “Reporting Verbs”:
- Can select reporting verbs to show the function of an utterance (CEFR B2).
- Can apply the correct pattern: to-infinitive, object + to-infinitive, or -ing.
- Can use prepositional patterns (apologise for, insist on, accuse of).
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