Reporting verbs

We can use many different verbs to introduce reported speech. They take the following patterns:

Verb + object + infinitive (with to). These are usually the verbs we use in reported commands and requests, when one person asks another to do something. They include: ask, advise, invite, order, remind, tell, ecourage, persuade, warn.

• "Whatever you do, don't touch the gun!" : He warned me not to touch the gun.

Verb + infinitive (with to). These verbs include: agree, offer, promise, refuse.

• "I'll drive you to the police station." : He offered to drive me to the police station.

Verb (+ that) + subject + verb in reporting tense. These verbs include: admit, declare, explain, insist, promise, recommend, reply, reveal, say, suggest, add. In informal language, we can usually omit that.

• "Why don't you get a burglar alarm." : She suggested ( that) we got a burglar alarm.

Verb + for + -ing: apologize for.

• "I'm sorry I was rude." : She apologized for being rude.

REMEMBER!

The reporting verbs say and tell have the same meaning, but their use is different:

Say (+ that) + reported speech.

• The police officer said (that) they had found the vandals.

Tell + indirect object (+ that) + reported speech.

• The police officer told me that they had found the vandals.