Reported Speech

Advanced reporting verbs and their patterns

Introduction

Beyond "say" and "tell," English has dozens of reporting verbs that convey the manner or attitude of the original speaker: claim, admit, deny, suggest, insist, warn, promise, threaten, and many more.

Each verb has its own grammar pattern, and choosing the right verb adds nuance to your reporting. "She admitted making a mistake" differs significantly from "She said she made a mistake."

Mastering these verbs transforms your reported speech from basic to sophisticated.

Themes

All Grammar (Basic) in This Chapter (9)

• Advanced Reporting Verbs Using varied verbs beyond say/tell for nuanced reporting
• Reporting Verb Patterns Grammar patterns following different reporting verbs
• Modal Shifts in Reported Speech How modals change (or don't) in reported speech
• Complex Reporting Patterns Advanced verb patterns in reported speech
• Reporting with Continuous Forms Reporting ongoing situations and attitudes
• Reporting Verb Patterns Different grammatical patterns after reporting verbs
• Reporting with Should/Subjunctive Using should or subjunctive in reported clauses
• Reporting with nominal clauses Complex reporting using noun clauses
• Impersonal passive reporting Distancing the source in formal reports