Reporting Verbs in Direct and Indirect Speech

The reporting verb (or introductory verb) is the verb that introduces what someone said. It tells us how something was said, not just that it was said.

Common: said, told, asked, exclaimed, replied, shouted, whispered, promised, ordered, advised, warned, suggested, requested, insisted, denied, agreed, admitted, complained, announced

Pattern 1: verb + that + clause

She said that she was happy. | He insisted that he was innocent.

Pattern 2: verb + object + that + clause

She told me that she was happy. | He reminded us that the test was on Monday.

Pattern 3: verb + to-infinitive

He agreed to help. | She refused to apologise. | They promised to come.

Pattern 4: verb + object + to-infinitive

She asked him to wait. | The teacher ordered us to sit. | He advised her to rest.

Pattern 5: verb + gerund (-ing)

She denied stealing. | He admitted breaking the window. | They suggested leaving early.

Pattern 6: verb + preposition + gerund

He insisted on doing it himself. | She apologised for being late.

Rule: "told" ALWAYS needs a person object. "said" NEVER directly precedes a person.

Different types of direct speech require different reporting verbs:

Change to indirect speech using an appropriate reporting verb:

1. "Be quiet!" the teacher said to the students. → The teacher ordered the students to be quiet.

2. "I will help you," he said to me. → He promised to help me. / He promised me that he would help me.

3. "Don't touch the wire," she said to us. → She warned us not to touch the wire.

4. "Why are you late?" he said to her. → He asked her why she was late.

1. Fill in: "She ___ me that the shop was closed." (said/told)
2. Which pattern does "suggested" follow? Write an example.
3. Change: "I didn't steal the pen," he said.
4. What is the difference between "asked" and "ordered" in indirect speech?
5. Stretch: Write a paragraph using five different reporting verbs to report a conversation.