1. Instituto de Estudios Superiores Belén
PROFESORADO EN INGLÉS
Gramática Inglesa II
VERBS USED IN REPORTING
Many different verbs are used in reporting. We do not usually report every word that
was said or written and these different verbs can help to summarize the original words:
'”Would you like to come and stay for the
weekend?”
• He invited us to stay for the weekend.
“No, no, I don't want your money. I'm definitely
going to pay for the meal and that's that”
• She insisted on paying for the meal.
Examples of verbs used in reporting:
advise - encourage
invite - persuade
remind - warn
agree - decide
offer - promise
refuse
• SB + inf.
• + infinitive
accuse SB of
advise SB against
dissuade SB from
persuade SB against
• + gerund (ing)
agree on/about - apologize for
complain about - insist on
recommend - suggest
warn against -
• + gerund (ing)
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2. Instituto de Estudios Superiores Belén
PROFESORADO EN INGLÉS
Gramática Inglesa II
agree - announce
boast - claim
concede - complain
decide - insist
recommend
suggest (+ should)
• that clause
PRACTICE
49 PUT THE SENTENCES INTO REPORTED SPEECH, SUMMARIZING WHAT WAS SAID AND
USING THE VERBS IN THE BOX
decide
complain
offer persuade
accuse
remind
advise
warn
apologize
refuse
1. “I know you've got a lot of work to do at the moment. I'll help you type up that report if
you like;” he said.
He offered to help me type up the report.
2. A: “I don't think you should hand in your resignation immediately. Give yourself more
time to think about it.
B: OK. I suppose you're right. I'll leave it for a while then.
He persuaded me not to hand in my resignation immediately.
3. “No, I'm not going to discuss it with you. I think it's a waste of time;” he said.
___________________________________________________________________
4. “I really think I should have been invited to the meeting. I'm very unhappy about the
fact that I wasn't,” he said
___________________________________________________________________
5. “You've been quite ill and you need to recover. I really think you should take it easy
for a few days,” the doctor said.
___________________________________________________________________
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3. Instituto de Estudios Superiores Belén
PROFESORADO EN INGLÉS
Gramática Inglesa II
6. “You must not go near their house again or there will be trouble,” the police said to
him.
___________________________________________________________________
7. “After giving the matter some serious thought, we have now reached a final decision.
We are going to close down the naval base in two years’ time,” said the Ministry of
Defense.
___________________________________________________________________
8. “Someone's been reading my diary. I know they have. I found it in the wrong drawer
this morning. It was you, wasn't it?”
___________________________________________________________________
9. “Remember that you've got to apply for a new passport. Yours is out of date now,” he
said to me.
___________________________________________________________________
10. “I'm really sorry about all the trouble I've caused. I didn't mean to,” she said.
___________________________________________________________________
SUMMARIZING WHEN REPORTING
When we are reporting, we do not repeat everything that was said or written. As we
report, we summarize.
A range of different verbs are used and these help to summarize. (See previous
section). In addition, we often use adjectives to describe how someone responded, instead
of reporting their words:
“Oh, that's fantastic. I'm just so pleased.
This is the best news we've had in ages.”
• She was delighted when we told her the news.
Oral Reporting
When we report orally, we regularly switch our method of reporting. We use a
mixture of direct speech, reported speech and descriptions of the content of the
conversation. For example:
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4. Instituto de Estudios Superiores Belén
PROFESORADO EN INGLÉS
Gramática Inglesa II
I was talking to Jo last night about the holiday. She thinks we shouldn't book
anything up yet because we'll probably get a cheaper deal if we leave it till
just before we go. I agreed with her but I said I didn't know what you would
think about that. And then of course we have to decide definitely where we
want to go. I said we quite fancied going to one of the islands but she said,
“Well, I'm not sure Graham will like the idea.” Anyway, in the end she said
why don't we talk to him about it when we meet him on Thursday.
Written Reporting
In written reports, we tend to use reported speech consistently rather than switching
from one style of reporting to another. If we are reporting what one person said, it is not
necessary to keep repeating She/He/It said… However, we continue to use the reported
speech tenses if it is understood that we are still reporting. For example:
The meeting was concluded by the Chair of the Governors, who said
that although it had been a difficult year, the staff of the school had managed
very well. The financial cutbacks had hit hard and it was to be hoped that
there would be no further cutbacks in the coming year.
Library stocks were severely depleted and he suggested that there
should be a series of fundraising activities to help raise money for books. He
thanked all the staff for their hard work and hoped that the coming year
would be successful. The Headteacher then thanked the Chair of the
Governors for his contribution to the school and the meeting was closed at
9.00 p.m.
PRACTICE
50 IN YOUR NOTEBOOK, WRITE A SUMMARIZED REPORT OF THE FOLLOWING SPEECH.
“I am delighted to have been elected onto the Council and I thank all those
voters who came out in the rain today to vote for me. I am very much looking
forward to representing the interests of the residents of Kimbridge Valley and
hope that I will have the opportunity to do so for many years to come.
During the last few weeks, I have spoken to many of the valley residents on
the doorstep and I have a clear idea of the issues which are of most concern
to them. The proposed closure of the school is understandably causing a
great deal of anxiety and I shall do everything in my power to fight against
that. I hope that I will be successful.
Thanks again to my supporters and a big thank you to all those who helped
me during the campaign…”
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5. Instituto de Estudios Superiores Belén
PROFESORADO EN INGLÉS
Gramática Inglesa II
Example:
In her acceptance speech, Diane
Banham said that she was
delighted...
SOURCE
 Elanie WALKER & Steve ELSWORTH: Grammar Practice for Upper-Intermediate
Students – with Key. Pearson Education Limited, England - 2000. pp. 134 - 137
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