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Reporting verbs: suggest, deny, admit, refuse…
B2 B2 grammar · lesson 12 of 21
Instead of using say and tell all the time, you can use reporting verbs that show what the speaker meant. Each verb has its own pattern, and this lesson shows you the main ones.
Why use reporting verbs?
In B1 you reported speech with say, tell and ask. Reporting verbs like suggest, deny, admit and refuse also show the purpose of the words: a promise, a warning, an apology. They make reported speech shorter and clearer.
«I’ll pay you back tomorrow,» said Tom. → Tom promised to pay me back the next day.
Verb patterns
| Pattern | Verbs | Example |
|---|---|---|
| verb + to-infinitive | agree, refuse, offer, promise, threaten, decide | She refused to help us. |
| verb + object + to-infinitive | advise, ask, encourage, invite, remind, warn, persuade, tell | He warned me not to touch it. |
| verb + -ing | admit, deny, suggest, recommend, mention | Ali denied taking the money. |
| verb + preposition + -ing | apologise for, insist on, complain about | Mia apologised for being late. |
| verb + object + preposition + -ing | accuse sb of, blame sb for, congratulate sb on, thank sb for | They accused him of lying. |
| verb + that-clause | admit, deny, explain, suggest, promise, agree, insist | She admitted that she was wrong. |
«I didn’t break the vase.» → Leo denied breaking the vase.
«Let’s take a taxi.» → Anna suggested taking a taxi.
«I’ll carry your bag.» → Omar offered to carry my bag.
«Don’t forget to lock the door.» → My dad reminded me to lock the door.
«Well done on passing your test!» → Lucy congratulated me on passing my test.
«Yes, I took your pen.» → Sam admitted taking my pen.
«You should see a doctor.» → The nurse advised Ken to see a doctor.
Suggest: a special verb
Suggest is never followed by an object + to-infinitive. Use suggest + -ing or suggest (that) + subject + verb (base form or should).
Common mistakes
✗ She suggested me to call the police.
✓ She suggested calling / suggested that I call the police.
✗ He denied to take the money.
✓ He denied taking the money.
✗ They accused me to lie.
✓ They accused me of lying.
✗ I apologised to be late.
✓ I apologised for being late.