reporting verbs list

1. REPORTING VERBS
INTRODUCTORY VERBS
VERB + TO INFINITIVE
Agree
Offer
Promise
Refuse
Threaten
“Yes, I’ll do it”
“Shall I open the window for you?”
“I promise I’ll finish it”
“I won’t do it”
“Leave or I’ll call the police”
He agreed to do it
He offered to open the window
He promised to finish it
He refused to do it
He threatened to call the police
VERB + SB + TO INFINITIVE
Advise
Ask
Beg
Invite
Order
Remind
Warn
“You should stop smoking”
“Please, lend me some money”
“Please, please help me”
“Would you like to come to the
party”
“Shut up” he said
“Don’t forget to send the letter”
“Don’t touch the iron”
He advised me to stop smoking
He asked me to lend him some money
He begged me to help him
He invited me to come to the party
He ordered me to shut up
He reminded me to send the letter
He warned me not to touch the iron
VERB + GERUND
Admit
Deny
“Yes, I broke the window!”
“I didn’t break the window”
He admitted breaking/having broken the window
He denied breaking/having broken the window
VERB + PREPOSITION + GERUND
Insist on
Accuse sb of
Apologise for
Boast about
Congratulate on
Complain about
“You must stay to dinner”
“You stole my necklace”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you”
“I’m richer than you”
“Congratulations! You passed the test!”
“I have lost my keys”
He insisted on me/my staying to dinner
She accused me of stealing her necklace
He apologised for not telling me
He boasted about being richer than me
He congratulated me on passing the exam
He complained about losing his keys
VERB + THAT
Deny “I never touch your necklace” He denied that he had touched my necklace

2. Admit
Promise
Agree
Explain
Complain
“Yes, I did it”
“I won’t be late again”
“Yes, we’ll go together”
“These verbs are difficult to learn”
“You never phone me”
He admitted he had done it
He promised that he wouldn’t be late again
He agreed that we would go together
He explained to us that those verbs were difficult
He complained that I never phoned him
SUGGEST/ RECOMMEND
Suggest +(sb)+ gerund
Suggest + that+ subj+(should) + V
He suggested (us / our) going to the cinema
He suggested that we (should) go to the cinema

3. EXERCISES FOR PRACTISING
Rewrite the sentences in Reported Speech using the verbs given in brackets:
1. “You took my wallet yesterday” Olatz said. (accuse)
2. Roberto said “I’ll help you tomorrow” (promise)
3. “Why don’t we go to Madrid this weekend?” He said (suggest)
4. “She is always taking my things without permission!” he said (complain)
5. “I will marry you” Gemma said (promise)
6. “Pay attention, please” The teacher said to the students (ask)
7. “Aim and shoot” the captain said to the soldiers (order)
8. “You’d better go to the dentist” Mum said to me (advise)
9. “I didn’t steal the money from the bag” he said (deny)
10.“I’m sorry I didn’t call you before coming” Jon said (apologise)
11.“Stop making that noise or I’ll leave” Lorena said (threaten)
12.“Please, please lend me your car” my sister said to me (beg)
13.“Don’t forget to water the plants” mum said to his son (remind)
14.“You must study the irregular verbs” the teacher said to her (insist)
15.“Don’t go near the river” she said to the children (warn)
16.“No, I won’t eat the beans” the child said (refuse)
17.“You should enter in silence” the teacher said to the students (advise)

4. 18. Rachel said to Rose “You tore the book” (accuse)
19. “Why don’t we dress up for the party? (suggest)
20. “I’m sorry I’m late” Jane said. (apologise)

5. Rewrite the sentences in Reported Speech using a reporting verb:
1. “You should eat less fast food” the doctor said to him
2. “Don’t forget to lock the door when you leave” mum said to me
3. “I’m sorry I damaged your car” Olatz said to him
4. “If I were you, I would stop smoking” Andres said to Marta
5. “Please, please don’t be angry with me” Maider said to Marian
6. “Why don’t you ask her out?“ I said to him
7. “I didn’t break into the house” the burglar said
8. “I won’t take your things without your permission” he said
9. “Let’s talk about it now” he said
10.“Don’t shout in class” the teacher said to the students
11. “Would you like me to help you carry those bags?” he asked
12.“Leave me alone!” Jane said to her sister
13.“I will never disappoint you again” he said to me
14.“Roberto tookmy books” she said
15.“You must stay with us” they said to him
16.“Yes, I broke your glasses” I said to him