Reporting verbs

1.

2.

x

3.

1. Verb + infinitive with to
They refuse to accept responsibility for the accident.
He promised not to share our personal information.
x
2. Verb + object + infinitive with to
The judge ordered the police to release the individual immediately.
Ferguson warns governments not to delay any further.
3. Verb + -ing
She recommends waiting for the refund.
Computer scientists admit not knowing where the faulty data came from.
4. Verb + preposition + -ing
Employees complain about receiving important information too late.
Two organisations apologised for not being present.
Novak warns against moving too fast.
They'll never admit to not knowing the answer.
5. Verb + object + preposition + -ing
O'Reilly accused the government of lying about the issue.
Parents blame schools for not doing enough to tackle bullying.
6. Verb + that + should clause
The customer demanded that the company should give him a full refund.
Mike insisted that I should try his new muffin recipe.
Verb + that + subjunctive
We suggest that she read the documents carefully before signing.
Steiner demanded that the government investigate the issue.

4.

x
Dan explained to Mia that he was late because he had
missed the bus.
Pete insisted that I was wrong.
Jen announced that she had passed all her exams
Pablo promised that he would be there on time.
Jack denied that he had taken my keys. / Jack denied having taken /
taking my keys.

5.

x
refused
advised
suggested
boasted
blamed
requested

6.

x

7.

1 Jim explained that he couldn’t afford to go out
because he had spent all his money.
2 Will promised Julia (that) he wouldn’t forget her
birthday again.
3 Pablo insisted (that) he had locked the door
behind him.
4 Laura announced (that) she had just won first prize
in a competition.
5 Oscar complained to the assistant that all of the
shirts were too big for him.
6 Jenny warned me (that) there was going to be a
test the next day.
7 Jim denied that he had told anyone what he had
seen. / Jim denied having told / telling anyone
what he had seen.

8.

1 Pat refused to listen to my explanation.
2 They advised me to go to hospital immediately.
3 We congratulated him on passing his driving test.
4 She suggested having a picnic in the park. /
She suggested (that) we have a picnic in the park.
5 I confessed to losing my sister’s new scarf.
6 He invited us to go to his party that Friday.
7 I begged him not to tell anyone my secret.
8 Oli insisted on paying me half the taxi fare.
9 He encouraged us to keep trying.
10 Fiona threatened to call the police.

9.

x

10.

Homework
Learn the Rules Unit 7D and the reporting verbs.