Study Resource: Reporting verbs for Indirect speech in English
When you report speech indirectly in English, the grammar will depend on:
what type of speech you are reporting (question, statement, command...)
which reporting verbNo definition set for reporting verbLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. you are using (say vs. tell)
Let’s go through different types of speech.
Reporting statements indirectly
reporting verb + subordinate clauseNo definition set for subordinate clauseLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
He said (that) he was hungry.
Common verbs in this group: say (yell, whisper, shout, murmur, growl, scream, holler, intone, drone, moan, grunt...), write, think, believe, mention, note, drive home, emphasize
reporting verb + objectNo definition set for objectLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. + subordinate clause
He told her (that) he was hungry.
Common verbs in this group: tell, inform, make aware*, notify, let know*, advise
Reporting questions indirectly
reporting verb + indirect questionNo definition set for indirect questionLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
He asked who she was.
He asked if she was hungry.
Common verbs in this group: ask, wonder, ponder, want to know, inquire
reporting verb + object + indirect question
He asked her who she was.
He asked her if she was hungry.
Common verbs in this group: ask
reporting verb + about / as to + indirect question
He inquired as to who she was.
He inquired about whether she was hungry.
Common verbs in this group: ask, inquire
Reporting a command / advice / request / suggestion given to someone else
reporting verb + object + infinitive
He asked her to leave.
Common verbs in this group: ask, advise, order, command, tell, instruct, urge
reporting verb + that + subject + bare infinitive
He demanded that she leave.
→ the verb in the subordinate clause is in its “subjunctive” formCommon verbs in this group: ask, request, demand, advise, order, command, bid, suggest, argue, propose, recommend, insist
reporting verb + object + bare infinitive
He bade her leave.
→ the verb in the subordinate clause is in its “subjunctive” formCommon verbs in this group: bid
reporting verb + infinitive
He said to leave.
Common verbs in this group: said
(Alternatively)
reporting verb + that + subject + modalNo definition set for modalLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. of obligation
He said that she should leave.
He said that she had to leave.
Common verbs in this group: say, yell, shout, murmur, whisper
reporting verb + object + that + subject + modal of obligation
He told her that she should leave.
He told her that she had to leave.
Common verbs in this group: tell, inform, advise, notify
Reporting a demand / request for permission
reporting verb + infinitive
He asked to leave.
Common verbs in this group: ask, request, demand, beg
reporting verb + if / whether + subject + can / could
He asked her if he could leave.
Common verbs in this group: ask
Reporting a suggestion
reporting verb + (that) + subject + modal + bare infinitive
He suggested (that) she might attend.
Common verbs in this group: suggest, argue, propose
reporting verb + (that) + subject + bare infinitive
He suggested (that) they attend.
→ the verb in the subordinate clause is in its “subjunctive” formCommon verbs in this group: suggest, propose, recommend, argue
Reporting a promise
reporting verb + infinitive
He promised to attend.
Common verbs in this group: promise
reporting verb + object + infinitive
He promised her to attend.
Common verbs in this group: promise
reporting verb + that + will / would
He promised that he would attend.
Common verbs in this group: promise, swear, indicate, say (whisper)
reporting verb + object + that + subject + will / would
He promised her that he would attend.
Common verbs in this group: promise, assure, tell
