Reporting Verbs helps you communicate about reporting promises, denials, recommendations, accusations and admissions. Start with the meaning, notice the pattern, and then use it in complete sentences.
By the end of this lesson, you can
- I can choose reporting-verb patterns that accurately convey intention and attitude.
- Recognise and build the form: reporting verb + gerund/to-infinitive/that-clause/preposition pattern.
- Use the pattern accurately in a meaningful sentence.
Meaning and use
Use Reporting Verbs for reporting promises, denials, recommendations, accusations and admissions. Always read the whole situation before choosing the form: grammar expresses a meaning, not only a pattern.
He admitted changing the document.
'Admit' is followed by a gerund or a that-clause.
She promised to repay the money.
'Promise' is followed by a to-infinitive when the subject promises to act.
They denied sharing any confidential information.
'Deny' is followed by a gerund.
reporting verb + gerund/to-infinitive/that-clause/preposition patternKeep this pattern visible while you study the examples. Then cover it and rebuild one example from memory.
Key rules to notice
These rules explain why the form is correct. Focus on the subject, auxiliary, verb form, word order and time or meaning clues.
- 'Admit' is followed by a gerund or a that-clause.
- 'Promise' is followed by a to-infinitive when the subject promises to act.
- 'Deny' is followed by a gerund.
- 'Recommend' can be followed by a gerund when no object is named.
- The pattern is 'accuse someone of + gerund'.
Common mistakes
Not:He admitted to change the document.
Use:He admitted changing the document.
'Admit' is followed by a gerund or a that-clause.
Not:She promised repaying the money.
Use:She promised to repay the money.
'Promise' is followed by a to-infinitive when the subject promises to act.
Not:They denied to share any confidential information.
Use:They denied sharing any confidential information.
'Deny' is followed by a gerund.
Check before you practise
Complete each sentence mentally, then reveal the answer.
The consultant recommended ____ the plan.
revising
'Recommend' can be followed by a gerund when no object is named.
He accused them of ____ the figures.
hiding
The pattern is 'accuse someone of + gerund'.
She warned us ____ the deadline.
not to miss
'Warn + object + not to-infinitive' reports a warning.