*If the verb in direct speech is stated in past tense, we use perfect infinitive and perfect gerund after reporting verb in the indirect speech. E.g.: “Yes, it’s me[r]
(1)Reporting Verbs + infinitive with to Reporting Verbs + gerund (-ing) Reporting Verbs + that – clause Structure
S + reporting verb + O (someone) + (not) to V-inf
S + reporting verb + V-ing S + reporting verb (+ O <someone>) + that + clause
S + reporting verb + O (someone) + preposition + V-ing
Some reporting
verbs of this type
Promise
Agree/ refuse/ forbid Invite/ offer/ advise
Ask/ request/ demand/ order
Admit/ deny/ regret
Also: Suggest (doing something) Propose/ recommend (doing something)
Claim/ state/ explain/ add/ report/
boast/ complain/ point out/ agree/ confirm/ estimate/ promise / admit/ deny etc + that –clause
5 REPORTING VERBS (followed by infinitives, gerund or that-clause)
Other than “SAY” or “TELL”, it is usually better to use more precise REPORTING VERBS when turning (usually informal) direct statements into (usually more formal) reported one Such reporting verbs are advice, apologize, congratulate, promise, remind, etc
E.g.: “All right I’ll wait for you”, he said. He agreed to wait for me
(2)Persuade
Warn/ threaten Encourage Remind Instruct
Assure/ inform/ tell + someone +
that –clause
Suggest/ advise/ agree/ demand/
insist/ prefer/ propose/ recommend/ request/ urge + that + clause
containing subjunctive/ should (S + V-inf/ should V-inf)
Hope/ expect/ promise/ threaten +
that + clause containing “would”
Admit to
Apologize (to someone) for Accuse someone of
Insist on
Object to someone (doing something) Congratulate someone on
Blame someone for Thank someone for Charge someone with Warn someone against
Examples
1 “Helen, would you like to come to lunch on Sunday?, said Mary Mary invited Helen to come to lunch on Sunday
2 “Don’t forget to buy some milk, Andy,” said Clare.
Clare reminded Andy to buy some milk
3 “I wouldn’t cook the fish for too long, Bill, if I were you,” said Jean Jean advised Bill not to cook the fish for too long
1. “Me? No, I didn’t take Sue’s calculator,” said Bob Bob denied having taken Sue’s calculator.
2. “Why don’t we give him some money?” said Mary Mary suggested giving him some money
1 “No, you really must stay the night, Sophia,” Ann said Ann insisted that Sophia stay the night 2 “Why don’t you go and see “The
sound of Music” again, Brian?” I said I suggested that Brian should go and see “The sound of Music” again
3 “She was there first,” Bill said Bill pointed out that she had been there first
1 “I hear you passed your exams Congratulations!” John said to us. John congratulated us on having passed our exams
(3)airport,” I said to Ann I
warned Ann against staying at the hotel near the airport
Notes
*If the verb in direct speech is stated in present tense, we use present infinitive and present gerund after reporting verb in the indirect speech. E.g.: “You should take some aspirins,” said the doctor The doctor advised me to take some aspirins
*If the verb in direct speech is stated in past tense, we use perfect infinitive and perfect gerund after reporting verb in the indirect speech.