The Hound Of The Baskervilles

REPORTING VERBS AND THEIR PATTERNS

A large number of reporting verbs indicate the function of the original speech, e.g. “You should stop smoking.” → He advised her to stop smoking. (advice)
“if you do that again, I’ll call the police.” → He threatened to call the police. (warning).

In informal conversation we usually report speech using the introductory verbs say and tell. In more formalspeech and writing, we use a greater variety of introductory verbs:
“I think you should inform the judge.”
→ Dad told me he thought I should inform the judge.
→The lawyer advised me to inform the judge.

There are several different patterns used after reporting verbs.

English grammar notes - reporting verbs

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|grammar: |reported speech |


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subject + reporting verb + (that) + clause
She explained (that) she had been away at the time.

subject + reporting verb + direct object + (that) + clause
He assured me (that) therewould be no delay

subject + reporting verb + infintive
She refused to work on Sundays.

subject + reporting verb + direct object + infintive
She reminded me to come to the meeting.
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(1) He promised me he would look into the matter
(2) She waned us not to say anything

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Use of reporting verbs


Reporting verbs are used in reported speech

Themost common reporting verbs are say and tell. However, there are a number of other reporting verbs that can be used instead of say or tell to make more efficient (i.e. shorter) statements and questions.

Consider this original statement in direct speech:
'I'm sure that everything will be alright'

If we reported the statement with say, we would get :

He said that he was sure thateverything would be alright

This is an acceptable statement in English, if rather long. However, the words I'm sure that... in this sentence can have the function of assuring someone. Therefore, we can use the reporting verb assure

He assured me that everything would be alright
This is a) shorter, and b) makes the function of the sentence absolutely clear.
Common reporting verbs - say patter

Thefollowing common reporting verbs follow the same pattern as say
i.e. verb + (that) + clause :

admit
advise*
agree
announce
claim
complain
confirm
declare
explain
insist
mention
promise*
propose
say
suggest
warn*

* also used with other patterns - see below



Common reporting verbs - tell pattern


The following common verbs follow the same pattern as tell
i.e. verb +direct object + (that) + clause :

advise
assure
convince
inform
notify
persuade
promise
reassure
remind
tell
warn



Reporting actions : requests, promises etc


These are usually reported using an infintive structure :

reporting verb + infintive with to

Examples:
They argreed to pay the legal costs.
He promised to come as soons as possible.



Common reportingverbs that follow this pattern are :

agree
ask
claim
demand
offer
promise
propose
refuse
threaten



Some verbs can be followed by an object and infintive :

reporting verb + direct object + infintive with to


Examples:
He reminded me to call Kath.
She warned them not to mention it.

Common reporting verbs that follow this pattern are :

advise
ask
beg
convinceencourage
forbid
instruct
invite
order
persuade
remind
tell
urge
warn (not to)



Reporting verbs followed by a gerund


Some reporting verbs are followed by a gerund, not an infinitive :

Direct speech : 'Why don't we have the party at Peter's place?'
Reported speech : She suggested having the party at Peter's place.

Common reporting verbs that can be followed by a gerund are :...