Reporting verbs

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1 How can each verb be used? <<

2 How each verb is used

>> 3 Crossword using verbs

>> 4 Crossword answers

 

Verbs which can be used in each way

VERB +

gerund/infinitive/clause

decide            agree              offer                promise          refuse threaten

e.g. What made you decide

-

 

infinitive with to

to get married?

ask                  advise            encourage     invite              order              recommend

                        remind            tell                   warn

e.g. I must ask

object

 

you

infinitive with to

 

to be quiet.

say                  admit               advise            agree              decide            deny

                        explain           insist               recommend   suggest

e.g. I said

(that)

 

that

clause

 

I would like to teach English.

tell                   agree with      remind            advise

e.g. He told

object + (that)

me that

clause

he was a farmer.

admit               deny                recommend

e.g. The Vice President admitted

-

 

gerund

taking bribes.

insist on         apologise for

e.g. He insisted

preposition

on

gerund

paying for the meal.

accuse – of    blame – for     congratulate – on

e.g. The French accuse

object +preposition

us of

gerund

being reserved.

The verbs and categories are taken from First Certificate Gold by Richard Acklam (Longman)