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Reporting affirmative and negative statements.
Reported statements present the content of what someone said or thought without necessarily repeating the original words.
They commonly use reporting verbs followed by that-clauses or other complement structures.
Say can introduce a reported statement followed by a that-clause.
For example, She said that she was tired.
That can usually be omitted after say when introducing a reported statement.
For example, She said that she was tired and She said she was tired are both standard.
Say normally does not take a person directly as its object in the way tell does.
Use She said that she was tired or She said to me that she was tired, rather than She said me that she was tired.
Tell is commonly followed by a person and then the reported information.
For example, She told me that she was tired.
Say and tell can both introduce reported statements, but tell normally requires an object referring to the person receiving the information.
Compare He said that he was busy with He told me that he was busy.
Negative statements can be reported by preserving the negative meaning in the reported clause.
For example, She said that she was not feeling well.
Verbs such as think, believe, feel, and suppose can introduce reported opinions and beliefs.
For example, He thought that the plan was a mistake.
Think can be followed by a that-clause when reporting a thought, belief, or opinion.
For example, I think that she is right and He thought that we were late.
Believe can introduce a reported belief or conclusion using a that-clause.
For example, They believed that the information was accurate.
Explain can introduce information or reasons using a that-clause.
For example, She explained that the meeting had been cancelled.
Admit can introduce a statement in which someone acknowledges that something is true.
For example, He admitted that he had made a mistake.
Deny can introduce a negative claim that something did not happen or is not true.
For example, She denied that she had taken the money.
Agree can introduce an idea, statement, or proposition that the subject accepts as true or correct.
For example, They agreed that the proposal was reasonable.
Promise can introduce a statement about a future action or commitment.
For example, He promised that he would call the next day.
Warn can introduce information about a possible danger or negative consequence.
For example, She warned us that the road was dangerous.
Claim can introduce information that the speaker presents as true, especially when the truth is uncertain or disputed.
For example, He claimed that he had never met her.
Report can introduce information presented as an account or statement.
For example, The newspaper reported that the company had lost money.
Reported statements can contain modal verbs whose form and meaning depend on the original statement and the reporting context.
For example, He said that he could help and She said that she might be late.
Verbs such as wonder, doubt, and believe can report uncertainty, but their complement structures differ.
For example, She wondered whether he was telling the truth, while He believed that he was telling the truth.
Some reporting verbs can be followed by infinitive structures rather than that-clauses.
For example, He promised to help and She agreed to stay.
Statements can be reported using passive reporting structures when the source of the information is general or the subject of the report is more important.
For example, He is believed to be innocent and It is thought that prices will rise.
Pronouns in reported statements may need to change to reflect the viewpoint of the reporter.
For example, She said, "I am busy" becomes She said that she was busy.
Use the correct complement after the reporting verb and preserve the intended meaning of the original statement.
Common mistakes include using tell without an object, using say with an incorrect direct object, retaining inappropriate pronouns, and choosing a reporting verb with the wrong complement pattern.