Vocabulary: Reporting & Describing
B2 Lesson 4: Advanced Reporting Verbs
Why Use Advanced Reporting Verbs?
Using 'said' is correct, but using a more precise verb shows the speaker's true intention. It makes your writing more descriptive and fluent.
😐 Simple & Correct
Direct: "Let's go to a cafe."
→ He said we should go to a cafe.
😎 Advanced & Nuanced
Direct: "Let's go to a cafe."
→ He suggested going to a cafe.
Four Common Patterns for Reporting Verbs
The main challenge is learning the grammatical structure that follows each verb.
Pattern 1: Verb + to-infinitive
Used for offers, promises, refusals, and agreements.
- offer: He offered to help me.
- promise: She promised to call me.
- refuse: He refused to help.
Pattern 2: Verb + gerund (-ing)
Used for suggestions or denials.
- suggest: He suggested going to a cafe.
- deny: The man denied stealing the money.
Pattern 3: Verb + object + to-infinitive
Used for advice, invitations, warnings, or reminders.
- remind: She reminded me to lock the door.
- warn: The officer warned him not to drive too fast.
- invite: She invited me to come to her party.
Pattern 4: Verb + preposition + gerund (-ing)
Used when a specific preposition is required.
- accuse someone of: She accused him of stealing her ideas.
- apologize for: He apologized for being late.
- insist on: He insisted on paying for the meal.
Practice the Patterns 🎯
Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Form
Choose the correct word or form to complete each sentence.
- He _______ to help me with my heavy bags. (offered / suggested)
→ offered - The politician _______ taking any illegal money. (refused / denied)
→ denied - My teacher _______ me to enter the writing competition. (encouraged / insisted)
→ encouraged - He apologized _______ so much noise late at night. (for making / to make)
→ for making
Your Vocabulary Mission ⭐
Rewrite the Sentences
Rewrite the direct speech using the advanced reporting verb in brackets.
- "I will certainly be there on time," she said. (promise)
→ She promised to be there on time. - "Why don't we try the new restaurant?" he said. (suggest)
→ He suggested trying the new restaurant. - "You cheated on the exam!" the teacher said to the student. (accuse)
→ The teacher accused the student of cheating on the exam.
Key Vocabulary
- Reporting Verb The verb that introduces reported speech and adds tone (e.g., said, asked, warned, suggested).
- Nuance A subtle difference in meaning, expression, or sound.
- Gerund A verb form which functions as a noun, ending in "-ing".
- Deny To state that something is not true.
- Accuse To claim that someone has done something wrong or illegal.