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English grammar

Reporting verbs and the patterns they take

B2 · Upper intermediate Verbs and time Questions 10

The rule

Say and tell carry no attitude. B2 reporting uses verbs that carry one, and each has a fixed pattern you cannot guess from the meaning. He admitted taking it (verb + -ing). She refused to sign (verb + to). They accused him of lying (verb + object + of + -ing). He advised me to wait (verb + object + to). She insisted that we stay (verb + that). Learning the pattern with the verb is the only way; a wrong pattern is more noticeable than a wrong word.

Pattern

verb + -ing (admit, deny, suggest) · verb + to (refuse, offer, threaten) · verb + object + to (advise, warn, remind) · verb + object + of + -ing (accuse) · verb + that (insist, claim)

Examples

  1. He denied having seen the email at all.

  2. She offered to take the Saturday shift.

  3. They warned us not to sign before the survey.

  4. He accused the agency of losing the file.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: He admitted to have taken it.

    Right: He admitted taking it.

    admit takes the -ing form.

  • Wrong: She suggested me to wait.

    Right: She suggested that I wait.

    suggest never takes object + to; use that or -ing.

  • Wrong: They accused him to steal the money.

    Right: They accused him of stealing the money.

    accuse takes of plus -ing.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Choose the correct sentence.

    1. She refused that answer the question.
    2. She refused to answering the question.
    3. She refused answering the question.
    4. She refused to answer the question.
    Show answer

    Answer: D She refused to answer the question.

    refuse + to + infinitive.

  2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

    1. He apologised arriving late.
    2. He apologised for arriving late.
    3. He apologised that arriving late.
    4. He apologised to arrive late.
    Show answer

    Answer: B He apologised for arriving late.

    apologise for plus -ing.

  3. 3Choose the correct sentence.

    1. They reminded me to bring the passport.
    2. They reminded to me bring the passport.
    3. They reminded that me to bring the passport.
    4. They reminded me bringing the passport.
    Show answer

    Answer: A They reminded me to bring the passport.

    remind + object + to.

  4. 4Fill in the gap.

    He insisted _____ paying for everybody.

    1. on
    2. that to
    3. for
    4. to
    Show answer

    Answer: A He insisted on paying for everybody.

    insist on plus -ing.

  5. 5Fill in the gap.

    She threatened _____ the whole order.

    1. to cancel
    2. that cancel
    3. of cancelling
    4. cancelling
    Show answer

    Answer: A She threatened to cancel the whole order.

    threaten + to + infinitive.

  6. 6Fill in the gap.

    The report _____ that the fault was known about in March.

    1. claims for
    2. claims of
    3. claims to be
    4. claims
    Show answer

    Answer: D The report claims that the fault was known about in March.

    claim that plus a clause.

  7. 7Fill in the gap.

    They congratulated her _____ passing the exam.

    1. for
    2. of
    3. to
    4. on
    Show answer

    Answer: D They congratulated her on passing the exam.

    congratulate somebody on.

  8. 8Fill in the gap.

    He blamed the delay _____ the weather.

    1. for
    2. of
    3. on
    4. to
    Show answer

    Answer: C He blamed the delay on the weather.

    blame something on something or blame somebody for.

  9. 9This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. She denied knowing about it.
    2. She denied to have known about it.
    3. She denied that she had known about it.
    4. She denied all knowledge of it.
    Show answer

    Answer: B She denied to have known about it.

    deny takes -ing or that, never to.

  10. 10This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. He suggested a meeting on Tuesday.
    2. He suggested that we meet on Tuesday.
    3. He suggested meeting on Tuesday.
    4. He suggested to meet on Tuesday.
    Show answer

    Answer: D He suggested to meet on Tuesday.

    suggest does not take to.

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