Reported speech is an English grammar topic that many of our advanced students ask about. If you have already been introduced to this topic, you have probably already studied the verbs ‘say’ and ‘tell’, but maybe you want to expand your vocabulary to use other reporting verbs, and make your English speech sound more like a native speaker’s.
For an introduction to this topic, check out our previous blog post on reported speech and how to use sequence of tenses.
In today’s blog post, we’ll look at eight alternative verbs to report speech in English, and how to use them.
Ask (for questions)
The most common verb for reporting questions is ‘ask’. After ask, we can indicate the listener with an object pronoun, or we can omit it. It is optional.
When reporting questions that have a yes or no answer we use the following structure:
Subject + Reporting Verb (ASKED) + [Object] + Whether OR If + Reported question.
Original Question: “Do you prefer dogs or cats?”
Reported Question: She asked us whether we preferred dogs or cats.
When reporting a question that uses a question word such as who, what ,where, when etc we use the following structure:
Subject + Reporting Verb (ASKED) + [Object] + Question Word + Reported question.
Original Question: “Where did you go on holiday?”
Reported Question: He asked where I had gone on holiday.
Intrepid English Members can learn more about reporting questions in this section of the Reported Speech course.
Ask (for requests)
We can also use ‘ask’ to report requests, following this structure:
Subject + asked + object (receiver of the request) + to + verb + request.
To report a negative request, add ‘not’.
Subject + asked + object + not to + verb + request.
For example: “Please could you close the door?”
She asked me to close the door.
“Please don’t step on the grass.”
They asked us not to step on the grass.
Intrepid English Members can learn more about reporting requests and commands in this section of the Reported Speech course.
Admit/Deny
These verbs can be used in a couple of ways. We can use the structure of subject + admit/deny + [that] + report, or we can use subject + admit/deny + gerund.
For example:
“OK, OK, I did it! I ate the last cookie. I’m sorry, it just looked so delicious!”
He admitted that he had eaten the last cookie.
Or, he admitted eating the last cookie.
“No, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I wasn’t at the party, I was at home that night.”
He denied that he had been at the party that night.
Or, he denied being at the party that night. Or, he denied having been at the party that night.
Promise
If someone makes a promise to us, we can report it two ways: subject + promise + [that] + report, or subject + promise + infinitive.
For example:
“I will love you in sickness and in health.”
In his wedding vows, he promised that he would love his husband in sickness and in health.
In his wedding vows, he promised to love his husband in sickness and in health.
Threaten
This is another verb that we can use with an infinitive. The structure is as follows: subject + threaten + infinitive.
For example:
“Don’t move or I’ll have to use this weapon!”
The burglar threatened to use the weapon if anyone moved.
Offer
This is another verb that we can use with an infinitive. The structure is as follows: subject + offer + infinitive.
For example:
“Would you like me to look after your cat while you’re away?”
My neighbour offered to look after my cat while I was away.
Recommend/Suggest (for reporting suggestions)
These verbs follow the reporting structure of recommend/suggest + [that] + someone + verb in simple form.
“You should increase your intake of fruit and vegetables, and aim to do some cardiovascular exercise at least three times a week.”
The doctor recommended that the patient eat more fruit and vegetables, and exercise three times a week.
“Have you thought about joining a local club? This would be a great way to meet new people!”
The therapist suggested her client join a local club.
For negative suggestions or recommendations, add ‘not’:
“Don’t waste time playing video games. You need to finish your homework.”
The father suggested his son not waste time playing video games, and instead get on with his homework.
Intrepid English Members can learn more about alternative verbs for reporting speech in this section of the Reported Speech course.
Exercise
Write reports for the following sentences using an appropriate verb from the list above.
- “Please don’t leave the door open.”
- “You should try the new pilates class I’ve been going to, I think you’d really like it.”
- “If I see anyone cheating in the exam, you will be put in detention at lunch time.”
- “Would you like me to make you a cup of tea?”
- “OK, I lied. The dog didn’t eat my homework. I just forgot to do it.”
- “Don’t worry, I will be there at 3pm on the dot. You can count on me.”
- “Who is your favourite artist?”
- “It definitely wasn’t me who broke the vase!”
So, now you have added these new reporting verbs to your vocabulary, why not practise writing some example sentences? These could be imagined situations, or real examples from your life. Post them in the comments below!
To learn more about reported speech and different reporting verbs, Intrepid English Members should check out our extensive online course on Reported Speech filled with grammar explanations, examples, quizzes and practice activities relevant to real life.
Not an Intrepid English Member yet? Join us for next month’s one-off Skill Up: Reported Speech intensive online course.
➡️ 4 x one-hour group sessions with an experienced and friendly Intrepid English teacher.
➡️Understand and use the rules for reporting speech, expand your vocabulary with useful verbs for reporting and identify common mistakes. ✅
➡️Practise conversational skills with fellow students and learn phrases to sound more like a native speaker!
➡️Learn from the best! Enjoy a special guest masterclass from a grammar expert!
➡️Be able to fluently tell a story or recall a funny anecdote in English!
➡️Share ideas and questions with fellow students in the Intrepid English Community.