Reporting Verbs for Reported Speech

Reporting verbs are essential when shifting direct speech to reported speech. They provide context, indicate tone, and clarify meaning, making communication more precise and nuanced. These verbs can express certainty, doubt, agreement, suggestion, or even obligation, depending on the context. Mastering them is crucial for both everyday and academic communication.

What Are Reporting Verbs?
Reporting verbs are used to describe what someone has said, asked, or thought. They often replace the word “said” and add more detail about the nature of the communication. For example:

• She promised to come back.
• They denied taking the documents.

Types of Reporting Verbs

1. Neutral
   These verbs simply convey information without indicating the speaker’s emotion or attitude.
   • Said, told, stated, reported.
     Example:
   • He said he was leaving for the day.
2. Agreement
   These verbs express that the speaker agreed with a point or proposal.
   • Agreed, accepted, approved.
     Example:
   • She agreed that the project needed more time.
3. Suggestion or Advice
   These verbs are used to show suggestions or recommendations.
   • Suggested, recommended, advised.
     Example:
   • He suggested taking a different route to avoid traffic.
4. Doubt or Denial
   These verbs convey doubt, denial, or disagreement.
   • Denied, doubted, disagreed.
     Example:
   • They denied knowing anything about the missing files.

Reporting Verbs List
Here is a comprehensive list of common reporting verbs categorized by their function:

• Neutral: said, told, reported, stated.
• Agreement: agreed, confirmed, accepted, approved.
• Doubt/Denial: doubted, denied, refuted, rejected.
• Suggestion/Advice: suggested, recommended, advised, encouraged.
• Obligation: insisted, demanded, ordered, required.
• Emotion: apologized, regretted, complained, praised.

Academic Reporting Verbs
In academic writing, these verbs are vital for citing sources, evaluating arguments, and presenting ideas. These verbs often reflect the writer’s interpretation of the source material. For example:

• Argued, claimed, asserted, proposed, demonstrated, established, critiqued.
  Example:
• Smith (2020) argued that technological advancements have improved healthcare accessibility.

Rules for Using Reporting Verbs

1. Verb Form: These verbs are usually followed by a clause or an infinitive structure.
   • Clause: He stated that the plan was effective.
   • Infinitive: She promised to help with the project.
2. Tense Backshift: In reported speech, the verb tense often changes to reflect the shift in time.
   • Direct: “I am studying now.”
   • Reported: She said she was studying then.
3. Prepositions and Patterns: Some of these verbs require specific prepositions.
   • Accused + of: They accused him of stealing.
   • Apologized + for: She apologized for being late.

Common Mistakes with Reporting Verbs

• Using the wrong tense: Ensure the reported verb matches the time frame.
• Forgetting necessary prepositions: Some verbs need prepositions to make sense.
• Mixing direct and reported speech structures: Maintain consistency when transforming sentences.