What Are Reporting Verbs and Why Are They Important?

Reporting verbs are words we use to introduce what someone else said, thought, or felt. They allow us to share information without using direct quotes.

For example, instead of saying: Maria said, ‘I’m very happy.’, you can use a reporting verb: Maria said that she was very happy.

• They make your English sound more natural and sophisticated.
• They help you summarize long conversations or texts.
• They are essential for academic writing and formal communication.

Common Reporting Verb Patterns

Different reporting verbs require different grammatical structures after them. It is important to learn these patterns to use them correctly.

• Verb + (that) + clause
  Many verbs can be followed by that and a clause (subject + verb). The word that is often optional.
  Examples: agree, believe, complain, discover, find out, insist, promise, realise, say, state.
  He stated that he would stay with us.
  She complained that the service was slow.
• Verb + object + (that) + clause
  Some verbs need an object (e.g., me, him, her) before the that-clause.
  Examples: inform, tell, warn, assume.
  We informed them that it was ready.
  He warned me that the road was dangerous.
• Verb + to + infinitive
  Some verbs are followed by to and the base form of a verb.
  Examples: agree, promise, refuse.
  They refused to speak with us.
  I promised to call her later.
• Verb + object + to + infinitive
  These verbs require an object before the to-infinitive.
  Examples: ask, order, tell, remind.
  She ordered me to leave.
  He reminded us to bring our passports.
• Verb + gerund (-ing)
  A gerund (the -ing form of a verb) follows these verbs.
  Examples: admit, deny, regret, suggest.
  He admitted taking the money.
  They suggested going for a walk.
• Verb + preposition + gerund (-ing)
  Some verbs are followed by a specific preposition and then a gerund.
  Examples: apologise for, insist on.
  She apologised for being late.
  He insisted on paying for dinner.

Choosing the Right Reporting Verb

The reporting verb you choose can change the nuance or meaning of the original message.

• Par exemple, He said he would help. is neutral.
• He promised to help. shows a commitment.
• He offered to help. suggests he volunteered.

Always consider the original speaker’s intention when selecting a reporting verb. This will make your reported speech more precise and effective.

Exemples

• The manager announced that the meeting was postponed.
• My friend advised me to study harder for the exam.
• She denied stealing the documents from the office.
• They agreed to meet at the cafe at 3 PM.
• He confessed to having eaten all the chocolate.

Entraînement

Erreurs courantes chez les hispanophones

Spanish speakers often make specific mistakes with reporting verbs:

• Using tell without an object: In Spanish, ‘decir’ can be used without an indirect object. In English, tell almost always needs an object.
  Incorrect : She told that she was tired.
  Correct : She told me that she was tired.
• Using to + infinitive after suggest:
  Incorrect : He suggested to go out.
  Correct : He suggested going out. ou He suggested that we go out.
• Confusing say et tell: Remember, say is usually followed by that + clause ou to + object. Tell is usually followed by object + that + clause ou object + to + infinitive.
  Incorrect : She said me that she was busy.
  Correct : She told me that she was busy. ou She said that she was busy.

Questions fréquemment posées

What is the main difference between ‘say’ and ‘tell’?

The main difference is their grammatical pattern. Say is typically followed by a that-clause (e.g., She said that she was happy.) or to + object (e.g., He said to me that…). Tell almost always requires an object immediately after it (e.g., He told me that he was happy.).

Do tenses always change in reported speech?

No, not always. Tenses usually ‘backshift’ (e.g., present simple to past simple) when the reporting verb is in the past (e.g., He said…). However, if the reporting verb is in the present (e.g., He says…) or if the reported statement is a general truth or still true, the tense might not change. For example, She said that water boils at 100°C.

How do reporting verbs help me in B2 English exams?

At B2 level, reporting verbs are crucial for tasks like essay writing, summarizing, and speaking. They allow you to present information from sources or conversations clearly and concisely. For example, in a writing task, you might need to report findings or opinions, using verbs like suggested, argued, or claimed to show different perspectives effectively.