2. Reporting verbs-1
• accuse
to accuse someone of doing something
• "It was you who ate my chocolate, Elvira, wasn't it?“
He accused Elvira of eating his chocolate.
• admit
to admit doing something
to admit that...
• "OK, it was me. I ate your chocolate“
Elvira admitted eating the chocolate.
Elvira admitted that she had eaten the chocolate.
• advise
to advise someone to do something
• "Well, if I were you I'd start saving for my retirement.“
He advised me to start saving for my retirement
3. Reporting verbs-2
• agree
to agree that...
• "Yes, you're right, it's a terrible problem.“
She agreed that it was a terrible problem.
• announce
to announce that...
• "I'm afraid I've got some bad news. The
company's closing.“
The manager announced that the company was
closing.
• apologise
to apologise (to someone) for doing something
• "I'm sorry I didn't get to the meeting.“
He apologised for not going to the meeting.
4. Reporting verbs-3
• ask
to ask someone to do something
• "It's very hot in here. Would you mind opening the
window?“
She asked him to open the window.
• blame
to blame someone for doing something
• "We lost the match because you didn't save that penalty.“
He blamed the goalkeeper for losing the match.
• complain
to complain about something
• "The electrician said he was coming at ten o'clock so I took
time off work and waited in all morning....“
She complained about the electrician.
5. Reporting verbs-4
• congratulate
to congratulate someone on doing something
• "Well done! I knew you'd pass your driving test this time.“
She congratulated him on passing his driving test.
• deny
to deny doing something
to deny that...
• "It most certainly wasn't me that left the front door open.“
He denied leaving the front door open.
He denied that he had left the front door open.
• explain
to explain why...
to explain that...
• "Sorry I'm late. The traffic was bad and then I couldn't find a
parking space.“
He explained why he was late.
He explained that the traffic was bad.
6. Reporting verbs-5
• forget
to forget to do something
• "Oh no, I haven't got any money. I didn't go to the bank.“
He forgot to go to the bank.
• invite
to invite someone to do something
• "Would you like to come to our house for dinner on Friday?
He invited them to come to dinner on Friday.
• offer
to offer to do something for someone
• "Those bags must be heavy, John. Shall I take one?“
She offered to carry a bag for him.
7. Reporting verbs-6
• promise
to promise to do something
• "Yes, honest, I'll be there on time. I won't be late.“
He promised not to be late.
• refuse
to refuse to do something
• "Well I'm not washing up. I did it last time.“
He refused to do the washing-up.
• remind
to remind someone to do something
• "Remember you have to go to the bank. You
forgot yesterday.“
She reminded me to go to the bank.
8. Reporting verbs-7
• suggest
to suggest that someone should do something
to suggest that someone do/did something
• "Why don't you go to the dentist if your tooth hurts?“
She suggested that he should go to the dentist.
She suggested that he went to the dentist.
• threaten
to threaten to do something
• "If you're late again we'll start without you.“
They threatened to start without him.
• warn
to warn someone about something
to warn someone (not) to do something
• "Don't drive too quickly. The streets are very icy.“
He warned him about the ice.
He warned him not to drive too quickly.
9. Reporting verbs-8
• Other reporting verbs used in this way are: recommend,
demand, propose. (for suggest)
Examples:
a. "It would be a good idea to see the dentist", said my
mother.
• My mother suggested I see the dentist.
b. The dentist said, "I think you should use a different
toothbrush".
• The dentist recommended that I should use a different
toothbrush.
c. My manager said, "I think we should examine the budget
carefully at this meeting."
• My manager proposed that we examine the budget
carefully at the meeting.
10. Test on Reporting Verbs
1. The teacher ________________ that wine came from
explained
grapes.
a) protested b) promised c) explained
offered
2. Monica ________________ to give us a lift to the
station.
a) protested b) offered c) apologized
3. He ________________ never to take her CDs again
promised
without asking first.
a) admitted b) explained c) promised
4. Mike ________________ eating the last chocolate
admitted
biscuit.
a) protested b) added c) admitted
11. 5. He ________________ for being late.
apologized
a) apologized b) admitted c) offered
6. Our scoutmaster ________________ at the end of
added
his speech that we mustn't forget to bring torches
on the camping trip.
a) added b) begged c) protested
7. Cinderella ________________ to be allowed to go
begged
to the ball.
a) begged b) apologized c) admitted
8. Cecilia ________________ that she couldn't help
protested
with the shopping because she had already
arranged to meet Caroline.
a) protested b) promised c) offered
12. He ____________ that he had stolen the car.
admitted
a) described b) admitted c) reminded d) commented
Mary finally ____________ why she had been late.
explained
a) answered b) explained c) refused d) maintained
He ____________ to most of my questions.
responded
a) responded b) refused c) answered d) denied
recalled
She ____________ that I had already told her the answer.
a) directed b) recalled c) assured d) notified
promised
They ____________ to come on time.
a) instructed b) suggested c) mentioned d) promised
13. added
They ____________ that they had also been to London.
a) assured b) added c) directed d) suggested
He ____________ that I was wrong.
suggested
a) suggested b) notified c) taught d) instructed
He ____________ to tell my father about it.
threatened
a) assured b) threatened c) directed d) notified
instructed
They ____________ him to lie down.
a) mentioned b) suggested c) instructed d) promised
The teacher simply ____________ the class to do it.
ordered
a) ordered b) stated c) ruled d) explained
14. Reporting verbs.
1. "I didn't do it!"
He denied that he had done it / He denied
doing it.
2. "I'll bring the book back tomorrow."
She promised to bring the book back the
following day.
3. "Please will you think about it some more?“
He begged me to think about it some
more.
4. "First you should put the money in the slot
and then you should press the button."
She explained what I should do.
15. 1 "I didn't do it," she said.
She denied doing it.
2 "Have lunch with me," she said.
She invited me to have lunch with her.
3 "Why don't you buy one?" said Tom.
Tom suggested I buy one.
4 "I promise I'll take you to Prague," said Mary.
Mary promised to take me to Prague.
5 "I hope Andy phones tonight," said Clare.
Clare hoped Andy would phone that night.
6 "Please, please don't tell anyone!" he said.
He begged me not to tell anyone.
16. 7 "I won't do it," he said.
He refused to do it.
8 "You should have lessons," she said.
She advised me to have lessons.
9 "We really must go with you," they said.
They insisted on going with me.
10 "Don't forget to phone Granny," said Mum.
Mum reminded me to phone Granny.
11 "If you wear my T-shirt again, I'll pinch you very hard,"
said Maggy.
Maggie threatened to pinch me very hard if I wore her
T-shirt again.
12 "Don't fly kites near electric overhead cables," said my
father.
My father warned me not to fly kites near electric
overhead cables.
17. Reporting verbs.
(1) "It was your fault."
The cyclist blamed the bus driver for causing the accident.
(2) "You caused it."
The cyclist accused the bus driver of causing the accident.
(3) "It's a really good idea. You'll meet lots of people."
New students are always encouraged to join social clubs when they first
go to university.
(4) "It's not true."
The politician denied having an affair with his research assistant – they
were just working late.
(5) "Why don't we go to Italy?"
I suggested going to Italy for our holidays, but everyone else wanted to
go to Portugal.
18. • (6) "Well done!"
Students generally congratulate each other on passing
their exams.
• (7) "We're getting engaged."
Christine and Harry announced at the party that they were
getting engaged.
• (8) "You should see a solicitor."
The landlord of my neighbour's flat wanted to double the rent,
so I adviced her to see a solicitor.
• (9) "You won't see him alive again."
The kidnapper threatened to kill their son if they informed
the police.
• (10) "OK."
The union agreed to call off the strike if safety measures
were introduced.
