Reporting Verbs and Sentence Structures in English
Classified in English
Written on in 
English with a size of 2.46 KB
1. Verb Only
“I’m really sorry,” she apologized. (agree, apologise, refuse)
2. Verb + That Clause
“I hacked into the company’s accounts system.” He admitted (that) he had hacked into the company’s accounts system.
Verbs: accept, acknowledge, add, admit, advise, agree, announce, answer, argue, assume, believe, boast, comment, complain, concede, conclude, confess, consider, continue, deny, doubt, exclaim, expect, explain, foresee, imagine, imply, insist, know, mention, notice, observe, point out, predict, promise, propose, remark, remind, reply*, report, respond, reveal, say, shout*, state, suggest, vow, whisper.
3. Verb + Object + That Clause
“Don’t worry, you’ll arrive on time.” She reassured me that I would arrive on time.
Verbs: advise, assure, inform, reassure, remind, tell, warn.
4. Verb + To Infinitive
“We’ll pick up the children, if you like.” They offered to pick up the children.
5. Verb (+ Optional Object) + To Infinitive
“Could you help me finish this project tonight?” He asked me to help him finish the project that night.
Verbs: ask (sb), beg (sb), expect (sb), promise (sb).
6. Verb + Object + To Infinitive
“You shouldn’t say anything.” I advised him not to say anything.
Verbs: advise, allow, challenge, command, compel, encourage, expect, forbid, force, implore, instruct, invite, order, permit, persuade, remind, request, tell, urge, warn.
7. Verb + Object + To + Infinitive + Complement
“Muhammad Ali was the greatest boxer ever.” She considered Muhammad Ali to have been the greatest boxer ever.
Verbs: acknowledge, assume, believe, claim, consider, declare, expect, feel, find, presume, suppose, think, understand.
8. Verb + -ing Form
“I shared the confidential information without permission.” She admitted sharing the confidential information without permission.
Verbs: admit, apologise for, decide on, deny, mention, recommend, regret, report, suggest.
9. Verb + Object + Preposition + -ing Form
“You leaked the information to the press.” They accused him of leaking the information to the press.
Verbs: accuse sb of, blame sb for, congratulate sb on, thank sb for.