Reporting Verbs

We use reporting verbs to report what someone said more accurately than using 'say' and 'tell'.

verb + infinitiveagree, decide, offer, promise, refuse, threaten
They agreed to meet on Friday.
He refused to take his coat off.

verb + object + infinitiveadvise, encourage, invite, remind, warn
Tom advised me to go home early.
She reminded me to telephone my mother.

verb + gerunddeny, recommend, suggest
They recommended taking the bus.
She suggested meeting a little earlier.

verb + object + preposition (+ gerund)accuse, blame, congratulate
He accused me of taking the money.
They congratulated me on passing all my exams.

verb + preposition + gerundapologize, insist
They apologized for not coming.
He insisted on having dinner.

verb + (that)
admit, agree, decide, deny, explain, insist, promise, recommend, suggest
Sarah decided (that) the house needed cleaning.
They recommended (that) we take the bus.

For further practice try these activities.
-Activity 1
-Activity 2
-Activity 3