Reporting Verbs Flashcards
*reporting verbs
Complain
COMPLAIN + THAT / COMPLAIN + ABOUT
The verb “complain” means to say something negative because you are annoyed/disappointed about it.
▪ We complained that the hotel room was too hot.
▪ We complained about the temperature in the hotel room
*reporting verbs
Claim
CLAIM + (THAT)
We use the verb “claim” to describe things we state are true… but other peoplemight doubt that we are telling the truth.
▪ She claimed that she’d locked the door.
▪ She claimed she’d locked the door
*reporting verbs
Agree
AGREE + THAT
▪ The boss agreed that we should invest more in employee training.
Avoid this common error: I’m agree.
The correct sentence is “I agree” (more common) or “I’m in agreement” (more
formal).
*reporting verbs
Argue
ARGUE + THAT / ARGUE + ABOUT
The word “argue” can mean to try to persuade other people that your opinion iscorrect – as in the first example – or it can mean to have an angry verbal conflict –as in the second example.
▪ The lawyer argued that his client didn’t know he was breaking the law.
▪ My parents are arguing about where to spend our family vacation.
*reporting verbs
Admit
ADMIT + THAT
If you “admit” something, it means you acknowledge a mistake or an unpleasantfact.
▪ He admitted that he’d stolen the money
*reporting verbs
Encourage
ENCOURAGE + SOMEONE + TO
We usually use the word “encourage” for suggesting positive things.
▪ My parents encouraged me to take swimming lessons.
*reporting verbs
Advise
ADVISE + SOMEONE + (NOT) + TO
We use the verb “advise” for giving advice. “Advise” is pronounced with a Z sound,and “advice” is pronounced with an S sound.
▪ She advised me to start the assignment early.
▪ She advised me not to wait until the last minute.
*reporting verbs
Warn
WARN + SOMEONE + ABOUT
WARN + SOMEONE + NOT + TO
We “warn” people about potentially dangerous things:
▪ They warned us about the high prices in San Francisco.
▪ They warned us not to move to San Francisco.
*reporting verbs
Suggest
SUGGEST + ING / SUGGEST + THAT
▪ He suggested taking an early train.
▪ He suggested that I take an early train.
Avoid this common error: He suggested me to take an early train.
*reporting verbs
Recommend
RECOMMEND + ING / RECOMMEND + THAT
▪ I recommend staying in this hotel.
▪ I recommend that you stay in this hotel.
*reporting verbs
Ask
ASK + SOMEONE + IF/WHETHER
ASK + SOMEONE + QUESTION WORD
We use “ask someone if/whether” for yes/no questions:
▪ They asked the teacher if there was any homework.
▪ They asked the teacher whether there was any homework.
For all other questions, use this structure:
▪ He asked me what time it was.
▪ She asked us how to get to the train station.
▪ They asked the police officer why the road was closed.
Avoid this common error: They asked to the police officer…
ASK + SOMEONE + (NOT) + TO
We use “ask someone to” for requesting action from the other person:
▪ She asked me to close the door
▪ She askedme not to leave the door open
*reporting verbs
Tell
TELL + SOMEONE + (THAT)
After the word “tell,” we must always have a person:
▪ Jane told me she had worked late.
▪ Jane told me that she had worked late.
TELL + SOMEONE + (NOT) + TO
We use “tell someone to” for giving an order/command:
▪ My mom told me to clean my room.
▪ My dad told me not to play with fire.
*reporting verbs
Say
SAY + (THAT)
Using the word “that” is optional after “say”:
▪ Bob said he was happy.
▪ Bob said that he was happy.
Avoid this common error: Bob said me that he was happy.
say something to someone
Rahul, say sorry to your brother.
