Reporting verb patterns
Definition
Reporting verbs describe how someone communicates, thinks or reacts. Different verbs take different patterns, including a that-clause, to-infinitive, -ing form or object + to-infinitive.
Examples
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She admitted taking the documents.
Admit is commonly followed by an -ing form.
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They promised to send a replacement.
Promise can be followed by a to-infinitive.
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The doctor advised him to rest.
Advise can take an object followed by a to-infinitive.
Verb + -ing vs. verb + to-infinitive
He denied breaking the window.
Deny reports a rejected action and takes an -ing form.
He agreed to pay for the window.
Agree can report a decision and takes a to-infinitive.
The following structure is not freely interchangeable. It is part of the grammar of the individual reporting verb.
Some verbs allow more than one pattern
A reporting verb may support several structures, sometimes with a change in emphasis or in who performs the reported action.
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She suggested leaving early.
The -ing form presents the proposed action without naming its subject.
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She suggested that we leave early.
A that-clause makes the subject of the proposed action explicit.
Common mistakes
He suggested to leave early.
He suggested leaving early.
Suggest is not normally followed directly by a to-infinitive.
She explained me that the office was closed.
She explained to me that the office was closed.
Before a person, explain takes to.
Quick check
Question 1 of 3
Which pattern correctly follows admit?
Admit is commonly followed by an -ing form.Which sentence correctly uses advise with a named person?
The pattern is advise + object + to-infinitive.Which sentence correctly uses suggest?
Suggest can be followed by an -ing form: suggested taking.Nice work — you've completed the quick check.
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