Reporting verbs

Reporting verbs are used in reported speech

The most common reporting verbs are say and tell. However, there are a number of other reporting verbs that can be used instead of say or tell to make more efficient (i.e. shorter) statements and questions.

Consider this original statement in direct speech:
'I'm sure that everything will be alright'

If we reported the statement with say, we would get :

He said that he was sure that everything would be alright

This is an acceptable statement in English, if rather long. However, the words I'm sure that... in this sentence can have the function of assuring someone. Therefore, we can use the reporting verb assure

He assured me that everything would be alright
This is a) shorter, and b) makes the function of the sentence absolutely clear.

The following common reporting verbs follow the same pattern as say
i.e. verb + (that) + clause :

admit
advise*
agree
announce
claim
complain
confirm
declare
explain
insist
mention
promise*
propose
say
suggest
warn*

* also used with other patterns - see below

The following common verbs follow the same pattern as tell
i.e. verb + direct object + (that) + clause :

advise
assure
convince
inform
notify
persuade
promise
reassure
remind
tell
warn

These are usually reported using an infinitive structure :

reporting verb + infinitive with to

Examples:
They agreed to pay the legal costs.
He promised to come as soon as possible.

Common reporting verbs that follow this pattern are :
agree
ask
claim
demand
offer
promise
propose
refuse
threaten

Some verbs can be followed by an object and infinitive :
reporting verb + direct object + infinitive with to
Examples:
He reminded me to call Kath.
She warned them not to mention it.

Common reporting verbs that follow this pattern are :
advise
ask
beg
convince
encourage
forbid
instruct
invite
order
persuade
remind
tell
urge
warn (not to)

Some reporting verbs are followed by a gerund, not an infinitive :

Direct speech : 'Why don't we have the party at Peter's place?'
Reported speech : She suggested having the party at Peter's place.

Common reporting verbs that can be followed by a gerund are :
admit
deny
mention
proposed
report
suggest

NB All of these reporting verbs can also use a verb + that + clause structure (see above).

Compare :
He admitted that he had taken the money.
He admitted taking the money.

She proposed setting up a committee.
She proposed that we set up a committee.

He mentioned seeing Martin.
He mentioned that he had seen Martin

The sentences in each pair have the same meaning.