Reporting verbs are used in reported speech

The most common reporting verbs are say and tell. However, there are a number of other reporting verbs that can be used instead
of say or tell to make more efficient (i.e. shorter) statements and questions.

Consider this original statement in direct speech:

If we reported the statement with say, we would get : He said that he was sure that everything would be alright

This is an acceptable statement in English, if rather long. However, the words I'm sure that... in this sentence can have the function
of assuring someone. Therefore, we can use the reporting verb assure
He assured me that everything would be alright
This is a) shorter, and b) makes the function of the sentence absolutely clear.
 Say pattern Tell pattern Request and promises
Verb + (that) + clause Verb + object + (that) + Verb + to + verb Verb + object + to + verb Verb + Gerund (ing)
clause
admit advise agree advise admit
advise* assure ask ask advise
agree convince claim beg consider
announce inform demand convince defend
claim notify guarantee encourage deny
complain persuade offer forbid discuss
confirm promise promise instruct mention
declare reassure propose invite propose
explain remind refuse order recommend
insist tell threaten persuade report
mention warn vow remind suggest
promise* tell
propose urge
say warn (not to)
suggest
warn*

He claimed that he He informed the police He threatened to call The police forbade him The driver denied
didn’t know the victim. that he’d witnessed the the police. to leave the city. causing the fatal crash.
crash.
The driver denied that
he’d caused the fatal
crash.
 Reporting Verbs Exercise 1

Change the direct speech into reported speech. Use the verb in brackets.

1. "Don't forget to buy milk!" said Antonio to Lucia. (remind, using infinitive)
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2. "You shouldn't go into the water" said the coast guard. (advise against)
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3. "I'll go to France on holiday," said John. (decide, using infinitive)

4. "I think you should go to the dentist" Julie said to Tom. (advise, using infinitive)
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5. "Watch out for the weak bridge" he said. (warn, using 'about')
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6. "You should apply for the job" said Jack to Stella. (encourage)
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7. "Okay, Keiko can go to the party" said Keiko's mum. (agree, using clause)
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8. "The class will start later on Tuesdays" said the teacher to us. (explain + clause)
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9. "It's a great idea to go to the beach," said Maria. (recommend + verb-ing)

10. "Don't cross the road there" she said to the children. (warn, using infinitive)
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 11. "I'll make the coffee!" said David. (insist + on)
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12. "I'll study really hard for the exam," said Luke. (promise + to + infinitive)
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13. "This is where the station is," said Klara. (explain, using question word + clause)
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14. "Right, let's buy the car in the morning!" we said. (agree + infinitive)
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15. "Don't forget that Lucy needs to go to the dentist," she said to me. (remind, using clause)
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16. "How about having Indian food?" I said. (suggest, using verb-ing)
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17. "I'll be early" I said to my mother. (promise + clause)

18. "I'm sorry I forgot your birthday" said Amanda to me. (apologise)
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19. "I'll leave at six pm!" John said. (decide + clause)

20. "This is how we use the present perfect," said Amy. (explain + question word + infinitive)
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May be freely copied for personal or classroom use.