Grammar Worksheet — Intro
Reporting Verb Patterns
Explanation
Advanced reporting verbs have different grammar patterns and cannot be used interchangeably.
Some verbs take an object + infinitive, some take a gerund, and others take a preposition + gerund.
Choosing the correct pattern makes summaries of arguments and speech more precise.
Form
| Use | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Core form | verb + object + to-infinitive | They urged residents to evacuate. |
| Variation | verb + -ing | She denied leaking the document. |
| Advanced form | verb + preposition + -ing | He apologised for interrupting the meeting. |
Accuse takes object + of + -ing: They accused him of hiding evidence.
Warn can take object + not + to-infinitive or object + against + -ing.
Examples
- They urged residents to evacuate.
- She denied leaking the document.
- He apologised for interrupting the meeting.
- The lawyer accused the company of hiding evidence.
- The report recommends reducing waste.
- The manager warned staff not to share passwords.
- They insisted on reviewing the figures.
- The witness claimed that the door had been locked.
Common Mistakes
- They urged residents evacuating. → They urged residents to evacuate. Urge takes object + to-infinitive.
- She denied to leak the document. → She denied leaking the document. Deny takes a gerund.
- He apologised interrupting the meeting. → He apologised for interrupting the meeting. Apologise is followed by for + -ing.
- The lawyer accused the company to hide evidence. → The lawyer accused the company of hiding evidence. Accuse takes object + of + -ing.