What are Reporting Verbs?
Reporting verbs are words we use to describe how someone communicates information. They allow us to report what someone said, asked, or suggested without using their exact words. Common reporting verbs include say, tell, ask, claim, suggest, admit, deny, promise, and warn. These verbs are essential in reported speech (also called indirect speech) because they introduce the reported clause and show the speaker's intention or attitude.
Key Differences Between Reporting Verbs
Different reporting verbs convey different meanings and require different grammar patterns. Some verbs like 'say' and 'tell' are neutral, while others like 'claim' or 'insist' show the speaker's attitude. Importantly, 'tell' always requires an object (the person being told), whereas 'say' does not: we say 'tell someone' but 'say to someone'. Verbs like 'ask', 'suggest', 'warn', and 'advise' often require the infinitive form, not 'that' clauses.
Using Reporting Verbs in Sentences
When using reporting verbs, the tense of the reported clause often changes depending on the tense of the reporting verb. If the reporting verb is in the past tense, the reported clause typically shifts back one tense (present becomes past, past becomes past perfect). However, this backshift is optional in modern English when reporting recent statements. Pay attention to the specific patterns required by each verb—some take 'that' clauses, others take infinitives, and some can take both.
Reporting Verbs: Patterns at a Glance
| Verb | Grammatical Pattern(s) | Example | Meaning / Attitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| say | + that clause + nothing (no object) |
She said (that) she was tired. | Neutral — reports spoken words. Cannot take a person as direct object (not: say me). |
| tell | + object + that clause + object + infinitive |
He told me (that) he'd be late. She told us to wait. |
Neutral — always needs a person object. Used for information or instructions. |
| ask | + (object) + if/whether/wh- clause + object + infinitive |
She asked (him) if he was ready. He asked her to help. |
Neutral — reports questions or polite requests. |
| claim | + that clause + infinitive |
He claimed (that) he had never met her. She claimed to be an expert. |
Sceptical — implies the speaker may not believe it is true. |
| suggest | + that clause (+ should) + gerund (-ing) |
She suggested (that) we (should) leave early. He suggested taking a taxi. |
Recommending — puts forward an idea. ⚠️ Cannot take suggest + object + infinitive. |
| admit | + that clause + gerund (-ing) |
He admitted (that) he had made a mistake. She admitted lying. |
Confessing — acknowledges something negative or wrong, often reluctantly. |
| deny | + that clause + gerund (-ing) |
She denied (that) she had stolen it. He denied stealing the money. |
Refusing — says something is not true. Opposite of admit. |
| promise | + that clause + infinitive + object + infinitive |
She promised (that) she would call. He promised to be on time. |
Committing — makes a firm commitment about a future action. |
| warn | + object + that clause + object + not + infinitive + object + about + noun/-ing |
He warned us (that) the road was icy. She warned them not to be late. |
Cautioning — alerts someone to a danger or negative consequence. Always needs an object. |
Examples
What to Remember
- Use reporting verbs like say, tell, ask, claim, suggest to introduce reported speech without exact words.
- Remember that tell requires an object (person), while say does not: tell him vs. say that.
- Choose reporting verbs carefully because different verbs show the speaker's attitude: claim suggests doubt, promise shows commitment.
- In reported speech, adjust tenses one step back: "I am happy" becomes She said she was happy.
- Avoid repeating that after reporting verbs; use it once: She said that she was tired, not She said that that.