Grammar / C1 Grammar lessons and exercises / Patterns with Reporting Verbs
When we report what another person said, we often use verbs such as say, tell and ask. But many other reporting verbs allow us to express the speaker's meaning more precisely.
Harper reminds us that human rights are the priority.
Smith suggests introducing small changes at first.
Brown warns governments not to ignore ordinary people.
Some reporting verbs are followed directly by an infinitive.
reporting verb + to + infinitive
They refuse to accept responsibility.
He promised not to share our personal information.
Common verbs: agree, claim, demand, offer, promise, refuse, threaten.
Some reporting verbs require an object before the infinitive.
reporting verb + object + to + infinitive
The judge ordered the police to release the individual.
Ferguson warns governments not to delay any further.
Common verbs: advise, ask, encourage, invite, order, remind, tell, urge, warn.
Some reporting verbs are followed by an -ing form.
reporting verb + verb-ing
She recommends waiting for the refund.
Computer scientists admit not knowing where the faulty data came from.
Common verbs: admit, deny, mention, recommend, suggest.
When a reporting verb has a dependent preposition, another verb after it is normally in the -ing form.
Employees complain about receiving information too late.
Two organisations apologised for not beingpresent.
Novak warns against moving too fast.
They'll never admit to not knowing the answer.
Common patterns: apologise for, complain about, confess to, insist on, object to.
reporting verb + object + preposition + verb-ing
O'Reilly accused the government of lying.
Parents blame schools for not doing enough.
Common patterns: accuse someone of, blame someone for, congratulate someone on.
Some reporting verbs can be followed by that + base form. The verb has no tense and is in the subjunctive.
We suggest that she read the documents carefully.
Steiner demanded that the government investigate the issue.
Common verbs include advise, ask, command, demand, insist, order, propose, recommend, request, suggest, urge.
When the reporting verb is not expressing a desire, the that-clause can use normal verb tenses.
Customers complained that they had not been kept informed.
Experts admit that it will take a long time.
Sengupta agrees that we need a better system.
With some verbs, an object comes between the reporting verb and the that-clause.
She assured us that they would investigate.
Gairola warned ministers that the situation was critical.
Common verbs: assure, persuade, remind, tell, warn.
| Pattern | Example verb | Example |
|---|---|---|
| verb + infinitive | promise | promise to help |
| verb + object + infinitive | tell | tell him to wait |
| verb + -ing | suggest | suggest waiting |
| verb + prep + -ing | object to | object to changing |
| verb + that + subjunctive | recommend | recommend that he go |
❌ She suggested to wait.
✅ She suggested waiting.
❌ He told to me to leave.
✅ He told me to leave.
❌ They objected to change the plan.
✅ They objected to changing the plan.