Reporting Verbs in English

Common Reporting Verbs

say + (that)

Using the word “that” is optional after “say”:

  Bob said he was happy.

  Bob said that he was happy.

Avoid this common error: Bob said me that he was happy.

tell + someone + (that)

After the word “tell,” we must always have a person:

§  Jane told me she had worked late.

§  Jane told me that she had worked late.

tell + someone + (not) + to

We use “tell someone to” for giving an order/command:

§  My mom told me to clean my room.

§  My dad told me not to play with fire.

ask + someone + if/whether
ask + someone + question word

We use “ask someone if/whether” for yes/no questions:

§  They asked the teacher if there was any homework.

§  They asked the teacher whether there was any homework.

For all other questions, use this structure:

§  He asked me what time it was.

§  She asked us how to get to the train station.

§  They asked the police officer why the road was closed.

Avoid this common error: They asked to the police officer… 

ask + someone + (not) + to

We use “ask someone to” for requesting action from the other person:

§  She asked me to close the door.

§  She asked me not to leave the door open.

Reporting Verbs for Advice

recommend + ING / recommend + that

§  I recommend staying in this hotel.

§  I recommend that you stay in this hotel.

suggest + ING / suggest + that

§  He suggested taking an early train.

§  He suggested that I take an early train.

Avoid this common error: He suggested me to take an early train.

warn + someone + about
warn + someone + not + to

We “warn” people about potentially dangerous things:

§  They warned us about the high prices in San Francisco.

§  They warned us not to move to San Francisco.

advise + someone + (not) + to

We use the verb “advise” for giving advice. “Advise” is pronounced with a Z sound, and “advice” is pronouned with an S sound.

§  She advised me to start the assignment early.

§  She advised me not to wait until the last minute.

encourage + someone + to

We usually use the word “encourage” for suggesting positive things.

§  My parents encouraged me to take swimming lessons.

Reporting Verbs for Arguments & Strong Feelings

admit + that

If you “admit” something, it means you acknowledge a mistake or an unpleasant fact.

§  He admitted that he’d stolen the money.

argue + that / argue + about

The word “argue” can mean to try to persuade other people that your opinion is correct – as in the first example – or it can mean to have an angry verbal conflict – as in the second example.

§  The lawyer argued that his client didn’t know he was breaking the law.

§  My parents are arguing about where to spend our family vacation.

agree + that

§  The boss agreed that we should invest more in employee training.

Avoid this common error: I’m agree. The correct sentence is “I agree” (more common) or “I’m in agreement” (more formal).

claim + (that)

We use the verb “claim” to describe things we state are true… but other people might doubt that we are telling the truth.

§  She claimed that she’d locked the door.

§  She claimed she’d locked the door.

complain + that / complain + about

The verb “complain” means to say something negative because you are annoyed/disappointed about it.

§  We complained that the hotel room was too hot.

§  We complained about the temperature in the hotel room.

deny + that

If you “deny” something, it means you say it is NOT true.

§  He denied that he was responsible.

insist + that / insist + on

The verb “insist” means to strongly say something is true, or strongly say you will do something, despite other people trying to contradict you.

§  I insisted that I was innocent.

§  She insisted on paying for my drink.

swear + that / swear + to

The verb “swear” means to say something with extremely strong certainty.

§  He swore that he’d left his wallet on the table.

§  He swore to get revenge.

threaten + to

The verb “threaten” means to say you will do something bad to another person.

§  The manager threatened to fire me.

Reporting verbs for statements:

explain + that
explain + noun + to someone
explain + question word

§  The receptionist explained that the doctor was out to lunch.

§  Can you explain this math problem to me?

§  He explained how he’d built his own house.

Avoid this common error: She explained me… / I explained him… – we never have a person immediately after the verb “explain.”

state + that

§  The politician stated that he was in favor of immigration.

reply + that

§  When I asked her about the project, she replied that she didn’t know anything.

Avoid this common error: She replied me that… – we never have a person immediately after the verb “reply”

mention + that

The verb “mention” means to say something quickly, or to say something that is not so important to the main topic.

§  He mentioned that he’d put gas in the car.

announce + that

§  The teacher announced that everyone had passed the test.

Reporting verbs for giving orders:

command + someone + to

§  The officer commanded the soldier to clean the room.

demand + that
demand + noun

§  My sister demanded that I give her an answer.

§  My sister demanded an answer.

forbid + someone + to

The verb “forbid” means to prohibit someone from doing something.

§  We forbade our kids to use the computer without supervision.

Other reporting verbs:

boast + that

The verb “boast” means to arrogantly say good things about yourself or your accomplishments.

§  He boasted that he always got the best grades in the class.

propose + that

The verb “propose” can be used for making suggestions. It is a little more formal.

§  She proposed that we take a ten-minute break.

reveal + that

When we “reveal” something, we say something that was previously a secret, or information that is sensitive or not very well-known.

§  In the interview, he revealed that he struggled with self-esteem.

guarantee + that

If you “guarantee” that something is the case, it means you promise that it is true.

§  We guarantee that our products are made from high-quality materials.

promise + (that) / promise + to

§  You promised that you’d help me.

§  You promised you’d help me.

§  You promised to help me.

beg + someone + to/for

§  I’m begging you to reconsider.

§  I’m begging you for another chance.

remind + someone + to/that

§  She reminded me to go to the bank.

§  She reminded me that the bank is closed on Sundays.