Reported speech: reporting verbs

Grammar explanation

When we tell someone what another person said, we often use the verbs say, tell or ask. These are called 'reporting verbs'. However, we can also use other reporting verbs. Many reporting verbs can be followed by another verb in either an infinitive or an -ing form. 

Reporting verb + infinitive

Verbs like advise, agree, challenge, claim, decide, demand, encourage, invite, offer, persuade, promise, refuse and remind can follow an infinitive pattern.

'Let's see. I'll have the risotto, please.'

• He decided to have the risotto.

'I'll do the report by Friday, for sure.'

• She promised to do the report by Friday.

'It's not a good idea to write your passwords down.'

• They advised us not to write our passwords down.

We can also use an infinitive to report imperatives, with a reporting verb like tell, order, instruct, direct or warn.

'Please wait for me in reception.'

• The guide told us to wait for her in reception.

'Don't go in there!'

• The police officer warned us not to go in there.

Reporting verb + -ing form

Verbs like admit, apologise for, complain about, deny, insist on, mention and suggest can follow an -ing form pattern.

'I broke the window.'

• She admitted breaking the window.

'I'm really sorry I didn't get back to you sooner.'

• He apologised for not getting back to me sooner.

'Let's take a break.'

• She suggested taking a break.