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 you are using (say vs. tell)
Let’s go through different types of speech.
Reporting statements indirectly
reporting verb +
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 + + 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 +
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 + 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
