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Reporting Verbs
Look at this sample situation:
A conversation between two friends:
Sophie: I’ve decided to take an English course this summer.
Lucas: Really? I suggest taking the one near the university. It’s great!
Sophie: My cousin recommended that I should try it too, but my parents told me to look for something cheaper.
Lucas: That’s fair. But don’t forget you promised to study harder this year!
Sophie: I know, I admit spending too much time on social media…
You can see from these examples that reporting verbs are followed by different grammatical patterns:
Some are followed by to + infinitive:
promised to study
Some are followed by –ing:
suggest taking
Others require a that-clause:
recommended that I should try it
Some take an object + to infinitive:
told me to look for
And some are followed by a preposition + –ing:
admit to spending
Meaning & Patterns
Special verbs of reporting are used to convey not just the content of a quote or paraphrase but also the tone, purpose or attitude of the original speaker or writer. While common reporting verbs like say and tell simply state that something was said, a more precise or special verb provides additional context and insight.
These verbs allow you to add a layer of interpretation to reported speech. Let's look at an example:
He said (that) he was right.
means we are just implying that he was only stating a fact but
He insisted (that) he was right.
shows that he was not only stating a fact, but also being forceful and possibly argumentative.
Reporting verbs are very useful as they can help you achieve higher marks in Grammar & Vocabulary both in the Speaking and the Writing papers of the FCE exam.
Verbs + to infinitive
Examples: decide, plan, promise, refuse, offer, agree, hope, pretend, learn, manage.
Subject + verb + to + base form
I decided to study abroad.
He promised to call me.
They refused to pay for the tickets.
Verbs + -ing
Examples: enjoy, suggest, admit, avoid, consider, deny, finish, imagine, mind, recommend.
Subject + verb + –ing
She admitted spending too much money.
We enjoy travelling together.
He suggested taking the train instead.
Note: The verbs suggest and recommend are never followed by to + infinitive:
He suggestedto go.
is wrong!
He suggested going.
is correct.
Suggest and recommend are special verbs and can be followed by different patterns. Let's look at these patterns:
"Let's go for a swim," Peter said.
can be reported like this:
Subject + verb + –ing:
Peter suggested/recommended going for a swim.
Subject + verb + (that) + subject + should + base verb:
Peter suggested/recommended (that) they/we should go for a swim.
Subject + verb + (that) + subject + base verb:
Peter suggested/recommended (that) they/we go for a swim.
Subject + verb + (that) + subject + (unreal) past form of verb:
Peter suggested/recommended (that) they/we went for a swim.
Verbs + object + to-infinitive
Examples: tell, advise, ask, invite, remind, warn, allow, encourage, expect, persuade.
Subject + verb + object + (not) to + base form
My teacher advised me to read more.
They warned us not to touch the wire.
She reminded him to bring his ID.
Verbs + that clause
Examples: say, think, explain, recommend, suggest, admit, agree, promise, deny.
Subject + verb + that + clause
He admitted that he had forgotten my birthday.
They promised that they would call soon.
The teacher explained that the exam would be next week.
Note: That can often be omitted in spoken English:
She said (that) she was tired.
Verbs + preposition + -ing
Examples: apologize for, insist on, think of, succeed in, approve of, prevent (someone) from.
Subject + verb + preposition + –ing
He apologized for being late.
She insisted on paying for the meal.
They succeeded in finding a solution.
Note: Some verbs that follow the pattern verb + to infinitive and verb + preposition + -ing can also be followed by a that clause.
Some examples include: admit, agree, claim, complain, confess, deny, insist, promise and regret.
She admitted making a mistake.
or
She admitted that she had made a mistake.
In the FCE exam
Reading and Use of English
Part 4
Reporting verbs appear frequently in part 4 (key word transformation) tasks:
"Don’t forget to lock the door," mum said.
TO
Mum _______________________ the door.
Answer: reminded me to lock
"Why don’t we go to the cinema?" she said.
SUGGESTED
She _______________________ the cinema.
Answer: suggested going to / suggested (that) we go to / suggested (that) we went to
"You should try the local food," he said to me.
ADVISED
He _______________________ the local food.
Answer: advised me to try
Writing
Using a range of reporting verbs in your writing makes your language more formal, precise, and natural.
In essays and reports, you can use them to report opinions or research findings objectively:
Experts suggest that students learn better in smaller groups.
Many people agree that online learning will continue to grow.
The survey showed that most students prefer hybrid classes.
In reviews and articles, reporting verbs make your writing more expressive and engaging:
I would recommend trying their new menu; it’s delicious!
The author admits spending years working on this novel.
Several critics have claimed that the film is one of the best this year.
Speaking
In the Speaking paper, reporting verbs help you sound more fluent, accurate, and natural; especially in Parts 3 and 4, where you discuss opinions and ideas.
Instead of repeating my friend said... or I think..., try using a wider range of verbs:
My teacher advised me to practise every day.
So you suggested starting with the easiest task first. Good idea! Let's do that...
Experts claim that teamwork is essential for success.
I was advised to check the information before deciding.
These patterns show good control of grammar and vocabulary. They also demonstrate the ability to rephrase ideas which is a key skill for higher marks in Grammar and Vocabulary.