reporting verbs

Some basic reporting verbs



Accuse
to accuse someone of doing something
"It was you who stole my purse, Miro, wasn't it?"
He accused Miro of stealing his purse.

Admit
to admit doing something
to admit that...
"OK, it was me. I stole your purse"
Miro admitted stealing his purse.
Miro admitted that he had had stolen his purse.

Advise
to advise someone to do something
"Well, if I were you I'd start saving for my retirement."
He advised me to start saving for my retirement

Agree
to agree that...
"Yes, you're right, it's a terrible book."
She agreed that it was a terrible book.

Announce
to announce that...
"I'm afraid I've got some bad news. The company's closing."
The manager announced that the company was closing.

apologise
to apologise (to someone) for doing something
"I'm sorry I didn't get to the meeting."
He apologised for not going to the meeting.

Ask
to ask someone to do something
"It's very hot in here. Would you mind opening the window?"
She asked him to open the window.

blame
to blame someone for doing something
"We lost the match because you didn't save that penalty."
He blamed the goalkeeper for losing the match.

Complain
to complain about something
"The plumber said he was coming at ten o'clock so I took time off work and waited in all morning...."
She complained about the plumber.

Congratulate
to congratulate someone on doing something
"Well done! I knew you'd pass your driving test this time."
She congratulated him on passing his driving test.

Deny
to deny doing something
to deny that...
"It most certainly wasn't me that left the front door unlocked."
He denied leaving the front door unlocked.
He denied that he had left the front door unlocked.

Explain
to explain why...
to explain that...
"Sorry I'm late. The traffic was bad and then I couldn't find a parking space."
He explained why he was late.
He explained that the traffic was bad.

Forget
to forget to do something
" I haven't got any money. I didn't go to the bank."
He forgot to go to the bank.

Invite
to invite someone to do something
"Would you like to come to our house for lunch on Friday?
He invited them to come to lunch on Friday.

Offer
to offer to do something for someone
"Those boxes must be heavy, Bob. Shall I take one?"
She offered to carry a bag for him.

Promise
to promise to do something
"Yes, honest, I'll be there on time. I won't be late."
He promised not to be late.

Refuse
to refuse to do something
"Well I'm not washing up. I did it last time."
He refused to do the washing-up.

Remind
to remind someone to do something
"Remember you have to go to the school. You forgot yesterday."
She reminded me to go to the school.

suggest
to suggest that someone should do something
to suggest that someone do something
"Why don't you go to the dentist if your tooth hurts?"
She suggested that he should go to the dentist.
She suggested that he went to the dentist.

threaten
to threaten to do something
"If you're late again we'll start without you."
They threatened to start without him.

warn
to warn someone about something
to warn someone (not) to do something
"Don't drive too quickly. The streets are very icy."
He warned him about the ice.
He warned him not to drive too quickly.




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