Reporting Verbs and Patterns
Beyond 'say' and 'tell', many reporting verbs summarise the function of what was said. Each follows its own grammatical pattern, such as verb + gerund, verb + object + infinitive, or verb + that-clause.
Level C1
Clauses
Summary
- Beyond 'say' and 'tell', many reporting verbs summarise the function of what was said. Each follows its own grammatical pattern, such as verb + gerund, verb + object + infinitive, or verb + that-clause.
Structure
various: suggest + -ing/that ; offer + to-inf ; accuse sb of + -ing ; warn sb (not) to + verb
Examples
- She suggested taking a break.
- He offered to drive us home.
- They accused him of cheating.
- The sign warned us not to swim there.
Common mistakes
- • Using the wrong pattern: 'suggested me to go' should be 'suggested that I go' or 'suggested going'.
- • Forgetting the preposition: 'accused him cheating' should be 'accused him of cheating'.
More clauses
Relative Clauses (Defining)
B1
Use defining relative clauses to give essential information that identifies which person or thing you mean. Use who for people, which for things, and that for both. No commas are used.
Reported Speech
B2
Use reported speech to tell someone what another person said without quoting their exact words. Tenses usually shift back, and pronouns and time expressions often change.
Reported Statements
B1
Reported statements relay what someone said without quoting them directly. Tenses usually shift back one step, and pronouns and time expressions change to fit the new viewpoint.
Reported Questions
B2
Reported questions turn a direct question into a statement-order clause. Yes/no questions use 'if' or 'whether', and there is no inversion or question mark in the reported form.
Reported Commands and Requests
B2
Commands and requests are reported with a verb plus an object and a to-infinitive. Negative commands use 'not to' before the verb.
Say vs Tell
B1
'Say' and 'tell' both report speech but differ in grammar. 'Tell' needs a person as its object, while 'say' does not take a direct person object and uses 'to' if the listener is mentioned.