Reporting Verbs and Their Patterns

Start with say, tell and ask. Add advise, request, suggest, order, warn, promise, reply and explain. Each verb has its own complement pattern; learn the pattern with the meaning.

Understand and use it

Start with say, tell and ask. Add advise, request, suggest, order, warn, promise, reply and explain. Each verb has its own complement pattern; learn the pattern with the meaning.

Look closely

tell + person + that-clause

ask + person + if/whether-clause

ask/advise/order + person + to + V1

suggest + V-ing / that-clause

promise + to + V1

warn + person + not to + V1

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TRY IT YOURSELF

A quick check

A wrong answer is a chance to learn. Use the hint and try again.