What Are Patterns with Reporting Verbs?
In English, reporting verbs are verbs that are used to report or convey what someone else has said, thought, or felt. They are essential in direct and indirect speech, where you are communicating what someone else has expressed.
Some examples of reporting verbs include: say, tell, ask, explain, suggest, promise, claim, admit, and deny. These verbs can follow different patterns depending on how the message is conveyed and the structure of the sentence.
Understanding the patterns used with reporting verbs will help make your English more fluent and accurate. These patterns control how the sentence flows and whether the reported speech needs to be followed by an infinitive, a gerund, or a clause.
Rules of Patterns with Reporting Verbs
While many reporting verbs function in similar ways, they follow different patterns in terms of how the information is presented. Understanding these rules can help you use reporting verbs correctly and clearly.
- Reporting Verbs + Infinitive
Some reporting verbs are followed by the infinitive form of the verb. This often implies that the speaker or writer is conveying a request, command, suggestion, or advice.
Example: "He asked me to help him." (Here, asked is followed by to help.) Example: "She advised him to stay at home." (In this case, advised is followed by to stay.)
These verbs typically suggest actions or intentions and are followed by to + base verb.
- Reporting Verbs + Gerund
Certain reporting verbs are followed by the gerund form (the verb ending in -ing). These verbs are used when the reported action is seen as a process, a habit, or a general activity.
Example: "She enjoyed reading the book." (Here, enjoyed is followed by reading.) Example: "I suggested going to the park." (In this case, suggested is followed by going.)
The gerund is often used when describing an ongoing or habitual action rather than something specific that is being done.
- Reporting Verbs + Object + Infinitive
Some reporting verbs require an object before the infinitive. This pattern is used when someone is asked, told, or persuaded to do something.
Example: "He told me to leave the room." (Here, the object me is placed before the infinitive to leave.) Example: "She asked him to bring the books." (The object him is used before to bring.)
In these cases, the subject (the person who is doing the action) is implied and the person receiving the action (the object) is explicitly stated before the infinitive.
- Reporting Verbs + That-Clauses
Many reporting verbs are followed by a that-clause, which is used to report statements, opinions, or thoughts. This pattern is very common in both spoken and written English.
Example: "She explained that she was feeling unwell." Example: "He claimed that he had seen the movie before."
Here, the that-clause introduces the exact information being reported, and the reporting verb indicates whether the message is a fact, claim, opinion, or feeling.
- Reporting Verbs + Question Clauses
When reporting a question, the sentence structure changes slightly. The verb is often followed by a question clause, and the word order in the reported speech becomes indirect.
Example: "She asked me where I was going." (Here, asked is followed by a question clause, and the word order of the question changes.) Example: "He wondered why they were late." (Again, wondered is followed by a question clause.)
In these cases, the original question is rephrased indirectly, and there is no need for the question mark.
How to Use Patterns with Reporting Verbs
Using reporting verbs correctly involves understanding both the verb’s meaning and the pattern it follows. Here are some tips on how to use patterns with reporting verbs in different situations:
- Reporting Statements (Use That-Clauses)
When you report statements (what someone has said), you typically use a that-clause.
Example: "She said that she was coming to the party." Example: "He explained that the train was delayed."
Notice that said and explained are followed by that and then the content of the statement. This is one of the most common ways of using reporting verbs.
- Reporting Requests and Commands (Use Infinitives)
If someone is giving you a request or command, the reporting verb is typically followed by an infinitive.
Example: "The teacher asked the students to submit their homework." Example: "He told her to leave early."
In both cases, the action being requested or commanded is expressed using to + base verb.
- Reporting Suggestions (Use Gerunds)
When reporting suggestions, the reporting verb is often followed by a gerund to indicate an ongoing or habitual activity.
Example: "She suggested going to the cinema." Example: "I recommended visiting the museum."
These sentences convey an idea or action that the speaker suggests to someone else, using -ing forms to express the activity.
- Reporting Questions (Use Question Clauses)
To report questions, we typically use question clauses. The sentence order changes in indirect speech, and we use question words like where, what, how, or why.
Example: "He asked me how I was feeling." Example: "She wondered why they were late."
The direct question format (with a question mark) is no longer needed, and the subject-verb order is adjusted for indirect speech.
Examples of Patterns with Reporting Verbs
Here are more examples of how different reporting verbs are used with their respective patterns:
- Reporting Statements "He said that he had finished his work." "They explained that the meeting was postponed."
- Reporting Requests "She asked me to help her with the homework." "John told her to be careful while driving."
- Reporting Suggestions "He suggested going for a walk in the park." "She recommended trying the new restaurant."
- Reporting Questions "He asked where she had been." "I wondered why they were acting so strangely." Common Mistakes with Reporting Verbs
Even with the right patterns, learners sometimes make mistakes with reporting verbs. Let’s look at some common issues:
- Using the Wrong Verb Form
Remember to choose the correct pattern for the reporting verb. For example, after suggest, we use a gerund, not an infinitive.
Incorrect: "He suggested me to go to the park." Correct: "He suggested going to the park." 2. Omitting the Subject
When using reporting verbs, it's important not to omit the subject in indirect speech.
Incorrect: "He told to help with the project." Correct: "He told me to help with the project." 3. Misusing Question Clauses
When reporting a question, remember that the word order in the question clause will change.
Incorrect: "She asked me where was I going." Correct: "She asked me where I was going." Practice Exercises
Fill in the blanks with the correct reporting verb and pattern:
He ________ her ________ the truth about what happened. (ask / tell) They ________ ________ a break after the long meeting. (suggest) She ________ me ________ the window. (tell) I ________ ________ if they had finished the project. (wonder) Answers and Explanations He asked her to tell the truth about what happened. (Request) They suggested taking a break after the long meeting. (Suggestion) She told me to open the window. (Command) I wondered whether they had finished the project. (Question) Learning Tips Practice with different verbs: Choose reporting verbs and create sentences using the correct patterns. For example, practice with verbs like suggest, ask, advise, claim, and say. Read examples: Look for sentences in books or articles that use reporting verbs. Analyze their patterns to understand how they work. Write short stories: Try writing dialogues or stories where characters report each other’s speech. Focus on using the right reporting verb and pattern.
By mastering patterns with reporting verbs, you'll not only improve your grammar but also enhance your ability to communicate more naturally and effectively in English.