Reporting Verbs and Indirect Speech

Learning goals

In this module, you will report what researchers and others say or believe; choose reporting verbs that match the meaning; use common patterns after reporting verbs; and report statements, questions, requests, and instructions accurately.

Step 1 — Read and discover

Read the passage. Notice the bold reporting verbs and the patterns that follow them.

What Research Can Tell Us

When people discuss a new idea, they often report what others have said. In academic writing, readers need to know where information comes from and how strongly a source supports a conclusion.

A recent report states that access to green spaces can improve quality of life. The authors argue that parks should be included in urban planning, and they suggest introducing more trees along busy streets. They also point out that green spaces provide places for exercise and social contact.

However, not every source reaches the same conclusion. One group of researchers claims that small parks have limited effects when they are poorly maintained. Another study found that residents were more likely to use parks that were clean and easy to reach.

In an interview, a city planner explained that local budgets often limit what authorities can do. She admitted that some projects had taken longer than expected, but she insisted that careful planning could reduce future delays. She recommended improving communication between residents and local officials.

Reporting verbs help readers understand whether a writer is presenting a fact, an argument, a suggestion, or a concern. Choosing the right verb makes academic writing more precise.

Check your understanding

1. What do the authors of the recent report argue?Try again

A. Parks should be included in urban planning.B. Small parks always have limited effects.C. Local budgets never limit projects.

1. What do the authors of the recent report argue?

✓

2. What did the study find about residents and parks?Try again

A. Residents avoided parks that were clean.B. Residents were more likely to use parks that were clean and easy to reach.C. Residents refused to answer interview questions.

2. What did the study find about residents and parks?

✓

3. What did the city planner recommend?Try again

A. Stopping all future projectsB. Reducing communication with officialsC. Improving communication between residents and local officials

3. What did the city planner recommend?

✓

Step 2 — Understand the grammar

Study the grammar cards for reporting verbs, common patterns (that-clauses, -ing, to-infinitives), and indirect speech. Match each verb to the strength and type of claim you want to express.

Grammar cards

Say + that-clause

say (that) + clauseB1-B2

Report information or a statement.

“The report says that costs have increased.”

The report says us that costs have increased.

Tell + object + that-clause

tell + person + (that) + clauseB1-B2

Include the person receiving the message.

“The planner told residents that the project would take time.”

The planner told that the project would take time.

Argue that

argue + that-clauseB1-B2

Present reasons supporting a position.

“The authors argue that parks should be included in planning.”

The authors argue residents to use parks.

Claim that

claim + that-clauseB1-B2

Report a position that may need evidence.

“The group claims that small parks have limited effects.”

The group claims small parks limited effects.

Suggest + -ing

suggest + verb-ingB1-B2

Present an idea or possible action.

“The report suggests improving public transport.”

The report suggests to improve public transport.

Suggest that

suggest + that + subject + verbB1-B2

Introduce a suggestion or possible explanation.

“The report suggests that the city should improve transport.”

The report suggests the city to improve transport.

Recommend + -ing

recommend + verb-ingB1-B2

Advise a course of action.

“The researchers recommended collecting more data.”

The researchers recommended to collect more data.

Recommend that

recommend + that-clauseB1-B2

State a recommendation formally.

“They recommended that the team collect more data.”

They recommended the team to collect more data.

Explain that

explain + that-clauseB1-B2

Make a reason or situation clear.

“The planner explained that budgets were limited.”

The planner explained us that budgets were limited.

Admit that

admit + that-clauseB1-B2

Accept that something is true, often reluctantly.

“The official admitted that the project took longer.”

The official admitted the project to take longer.

Emphasise that

emphasise + that-clauseB1-B2

Give special importance to a point.

“The authors emphasise that further research is needed.”

The authors emphasise on that research is needed.

Demonstrate that

demonstrate + that-clauseB1-B2

Report a point shown clearly by evidence.

“The results demonstrate that the method can work.”

The results demonstrate us that the method can work.

Cautious reporting

suggest / indicate / provide evidence thatB1-B2

Use cautious language when evidence is not conclusive.

“The findings suggest that sleep may affect memory.”

The findings prove that sleep may affect memory.

Agree + to-infinitive

agree + to + base verbB1-B2

Report an agreement or willingness.

“The committee agreed to review the proposal.”

The committee agreed reviewing the proposal.

Decide + to-infinitive

decide + to + base verbB1-B2

Report a decision.

“The university decided to extend the study.”

The university decided extending the study.

Verb + object + to-infinitive

advise / ask / encourage + object + to + base verbB1-B2

Report advice, requests, or encouragement.

“The lecturer advised students to check sources.”

The lecturer advised to students check sources.

Backshift in reported speech

present → past; past simple → past perfect; will → would when appropriateB1-B2

Tenses often move back when reporting a past statement.

““The results are ready.” → She said the results were ready.”

Changing every tense mechanically regardless of context.

Reported questions

asked + question word + subject + verbB1-B2

Use statement word order in indirect questions.

“She asked where the meeting was.”

She asked where was the meeting.

Reported yes/no questions

asked + if/whether + clauseB1-B2

Use if or whether to report a yes/no question.

“He asked whether the data was complete.”

He asked was the data complete.

Reported requests

asked/told + object + to + base verbB1-B2

Report a request or instruction.

“The supervisor asked the team to review the figures.”

The supervisor asked the team reviewing the figures.

Step 3 — Choose the correct form

Choose the best answer, then check your choices.

Step 4 — Complete the sentences

Type the missing word or phrase. More than one answer may be accepted when it fits the sentence.

1.The researchers recommended (repeat) the experiment.Try again✓

2.The committee decided (delay) the decision.Try again✓

3.The report argues that local authorities (need) more funding.Try again✓

4.The lecturer told us (include) a reference list.Try again✓

5.The study suggests that there (be) a link between sleep and memory.Try again✓

6.The planner explained that the project (take) longer than expected.Try again✓

7.The supervisor asked whether the figures (be) correct.Try again✓

8.The organisation promised (publish) the results in June.Try again✓

Step 5 — Choose the correct form

Choose the best correction or answer.

Step 6 — Match the sentence beginnings and endings

Match each beginning with the best ending.

1. The authors suggestedTry again

1. ✓

2. The lecturer told the studentsTry again

2. ✓

3. The researcher asked whetherTry again

3. ✓

4. The report argues thatTry again

4. ✓

5. The committee agreedTry again

5. ✓

Step 7 — Quick review

Choose the best answer for each question.