Reporting Verbs Exercises and Examples

Reporting Verbs Exercises

These exercises focus on Reporting Verbs

What Are Reporting Verbs?

Reporting verbs are verbs used to report what someone has said, thought, or felt. Instead of always saying "he said" or "she told," you can use verbs like advise, promise, suggest, ask, warn, and many more.

For example:

Direct speech: "You should exercise," she said.
Reported speech: She advised me to exercise.

How to Use Reporting Verbs

1. Reporting Verbs with "That" Clauses

Some reporting verbs are followed by "that" + a clause.

Structure:

Subject	Reporting Verb	"that"	Clause
He	said	that	he was tired.

Examples:

She explained that she couldn’t come to the party.
They claimed that the product was defective.

2. Reporting Verbs with "To-Infinitive"

Many verbs that express orders, advice, or offers are followed by "to" + the base form of the verb.

Structure:

Subject	Reporting Verb	Object	"to" + Base Verb
The teacher	told	the students	to study harder.

Examples:

He promised to help me.
She advised me to wait for the doctor.

3. Reporting Verbs with "-ing"

Some verbs are followed by the "-ing" form of a verb.

Structure:

Subject	Reporting Verb	Verb in -ing Form
She	suggested	going out for lunch.

Examples:

They denied breaking the rules.
He admitted stealing the money.

4. Reporting Verbs with a Direct Object and Clause

Some verbs take both an object and a clause.

Structure:

Subject	Reporting Verb	Object	Clause
She	reminded	me	that I had a meeting.

Examples:

He warned us that the weather would be bad.
She informed them that the meeting was canceled.

Common Reporting Verbs and Their Uses

Reporting Verb	Typical Use	Example
Say	General reporting	She said she was tired.
Tell	Reporting to someone specifically	He told me to be quiet.
Advise	Giving advice	She advised him to see a doctor.
Promise	Making promises	They promised to arrive on time.
Warn	Giving warnings	He warned us not to touch the fire.
Suggest	Making suggestions	I suggested going for a walk.
Admit	Confessing to something	He admitted stealing the money.
Deny	Refusing or negating	She denied breaking the vase.
Order	Giving commands	The officer ordered the troops to stop.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake	Correct Example
Using "say" with an object directly	He said me to go. → He told me to go.
Forgetting "to" with infinitives	She advised go. → She advised me to go.
Mixing up structures	He suggested to leave. → He suggested leaving.

Everyday Examples of Reporting Verbs

In school:

The teacher told the students to submit their homework.
She suggested revising for the test.

At work:

My boss informed me that I had a meeting.
He promised to review my project.

In daily life:

She warned me not to walk alone at night.
They admitted forgetting my birthday.

FAQ

What is the difference between "say" and "tell"?

"Say" doesn’t take a direct object. Example: He said that he was tired.
"Tell" must include a direct object. Example: He told me to go home.

Can I use "that" in all reporting verbs?

No. Verbs like "suggest" or "advise" may require different structures (e.g., "suggest doing" or "advise someone to do").

What are some formal reporting verbs?

Inform, claim, state, announce, report are more formal than "say" or "tell."

Are reporting verbs used in academic writing?

Yes! In essays and research papers, verbs like argue, suggest, claim, conclude, demonstrate are common.

How do I choose the right reporting verb?

Choose based on the context:

Use suggest for advice.
Use warn for danger or caution.
Use promise for commitments.