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Grammar for IELTS: Reported Speech

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Reported speech: reporting verbs

Do you know how to tell someone what another person said using reporting verbs? Enhance your knowledge with a lesson given below and the grammar explanation to guide you better.

Look at these examples to see how reporting verbs are used.

Direct speech: 'You need to check your email for updates,' she said.

Indirect speech: She advised me to check my email for updates.

Direct speech: 'Please close the window,' he said.

Indirect speech: He requested us to close the window.

Direct speech: 'I didn't break the vase,' she said.

Indirect speech: She denied breaking the vase.

Grammar explanation - Reported speech: reporting verbs

When we tell someone what another person said, we often use the verbs say, tell, or ask. These are called 'reporting verbs'. However, we can also use other reporting verbs. Many reporting verbs can be followed by another verb in either an infinitive or an -ing form.

1. Reporting verb + infinitive

Verbs like advise, agree, challenge, claim, decide, demand, encourage, invite, offer, persuade, promise, refuse, and remind can follow an infinitive pattern.

'I'll finish the project by next week.'

He promised to finish the project by next week.

'I will help you with your assignment.'

She offered to help him with his assignment.

'You should consider taking a different route.'

They advised her to consider taking a different route.

We can also use an infinitive to report imperatives, with a reporting verb like tell, order, instruct, direct, or warn.

'Make sure to turn off the lights.'

The teacher instructed us to turn off the lights.

'Don't forget to bring your ID!'

She reminded us not to forget to bring our ID.

2. Reporting verb + -ing form

Verbs like admit, apologise for, complain about, deny, insist on, mention, and suggest can follow an -ing form pattern.

'I was late to the meeting.'

He admitted being late to the meeting.

'I regret not taking that opportunity.'

She apologised for not taking that opportunity.

'We should review the documents together.'

They suggested reviewing the documents together.

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