Reporting verbs are used to report what someone said more accurately than using say & tell. They express the force or the purpose of the action. REPORTING VERBS: GROUPS 1. Verb only
I'm really sorry
She apologised. agree, apologise, refuse 2. Verb+ (that) + clause I hacked into the company's accounts system. He admitted (that) he had hacked into the company's accounts system. e.g. : accept, acknowledge, add, admit ,advise ,agree, announce, answer*,argue, assert, assume, believe, boast, claim, comment, complain, concede, conclude, confess, continue*, decide, declare, deny, doubt, exclaim, expect ,explain, foresee, imagine, imply, insist ,know, mention, notice, observe, point out, predict, promise, protest, recommend, remark, repeat, reply*, report, respond, reveal, say, shout*,state, suggest ,vow, whisper. (*=that is obligatory) (Bolded letter verbs= unit verbs) 3. Verb+ object+ that clause Dont worry. Youll arrive on time She reassured me that I would arrive on time. e.g: advise, assure, inform, reassure, remind, tell, warn 4. Verb+ (not) to-infinitive Well pick up the children if you like They offered to pick up the children. e.g. : agree, demand, guarantee, offer, propose, refuse, swear, threaten, volunteer, vow.
5. Verb+ object+(not)+to- infinitive
You shouldnt say anything I advised him not to say anything. e.g: advise, allow, challenge, command, encourage, expect, forbid, force, implore, instruct, invite, order, permit, persuade, remind, request, tell, urge, warn. 6. Reporting Verb + -ing I didnt do it He denied doing it. e.g. : admit, apologize for, decide on, deny, mention, recommend, regret, report, suggest. 7. Verb+ object+ preposition+-ing You forged the cheques They accused me of forging the cheques. e.g: accuse sb. of, blame sb. for, congratulate sb. on , confess to, criticize sb. for, thank sb. for ,warn sb. against. 8. Verb+ thatobject+should+infinitive without to Lets go for a drink He suggested me that we should go for a drink. e.g: suggest, recommend, insist, demand. 9. Verb+ question word/if+ sentence in reported speech Would you like a drink? He wondered whether/ if I would like a drink. e.g.: ask, wonder, want to know.