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Using reporting verbs such as say, tell, ask, advise, promise and suggest.
Practice: build the sentences →Reporting verbs are verbs used to introduce or describe what someone says, thinks, asks, advises, promises, or communicates.
Different reporting verbs require different grammatical patterns, so the choice of verb and complement must be learned together.
She said that she was tired.
Она сказала, что устала.
Say + that-clause.
He told me to wait.
Он велел мне подождать.
Tell + object + to-infinitive.
She asked if I was ready.
Она спросила, готов ли я.
Ask + if-clause.
Say is commonly followed by a that-clause when reporting a statement.
For example, She said that she was tired. Say does not normally take a person directly as its object.
She said that she was tired.
Она сказала, что устала.
Say + that-clause.
He said he would come.
Он сказал, что придёт.
That omitted.
Tell is commonly followed by a person and then the reported information.
For example, She told me that she was tired. Tell normally requires an object when used in this reporting pattern.
She told me that she was tired.
Она сказала мне, что устала.
Tell + object + that-clause.
He told us to wait.
Он велел нам подождать.
Tell + object + to-infinitive.
Say and tell have similar reporting meanings but different grammatical patterns.
Compare He said that he was busy with He told me that he was busy. Do not use He said me that he was busy.
He said that he was busy.
Он сказал, что занят.
Say + that-clause.
He told me that he was busy.
Он сказал мне, что занят.
Tell + object + that-clause.
He said me that he was busy.
Он сказал мне, что занят.
Incorrect: say does not take a person object.
Ask can report questions and requests, but the complement pattern depends on whether information or an action is being requested.
For example, She asked if I was ready and She asked me to wait.
She asked if I was ready.
Она спросила, готов ли я.
Ask + if-clause (information request).
She asked me to wait.
Она попросила меня подождать.
Ask + object + to-infinitive (action request).
Advise can report advice using an object + to-infinitive, a gerund, or a that-clause.
For example, She advised me to wait, She advised waiting, and She advised that we wait.
She advised me to wait.
Она посоветовала мне подождать.
Advise + object + to-infinitive.
She advised waiting.
Она посоветовала подождать.
Advise + gerund.
She advised that we wait.
Она посоветовала, чтобы мы подождали.
Advise + that-clause.
Suggest commonly takes a gerund or a that-clause and does not normally take an object + to-infinitive.
For example, She suggested leaving early and She suggested that we leave early. Avoid She suggested us to leave.
She suggested leaving early.
Она предложила уйти рано.
Suggest + gerund.
She suggested that we leave early.
Она предложила, чтобы мы ушли рано.
Suggest + that-clause.
She suggested us to leave early.
Она предложила нам уйти рано.
Incorrect: suggest does not take object + to-infinitive.
Recommend commonly takes a gerund or a that-clause when reporting a recommendation.
For example, I recommended booking early and I recommended that she book early.
I recommended booking early.
Я рекомендовал бронировать заранее.
Recommend + gerund.
I recommended that she book early.
Я рекомендовал ей бронировать заранее.
Recommend + that-clause.
Promise can take a to-infinitive or a that-clause when reporting a commitment about a future action.
For example, He promised to help and He promised that he would help.
He promised to help.
Он пообещал помочь.
Promise + to-infinitive.
He promised that he would help.
Он пообещал, что поможет.
Promise + that-clause.
Agree can be followed by a to-infinitive or a that-clause when reporting agreement.
For example, They agreed to stay and They agreed that the plan was reasonable.
They agreed to stay.
Они согласились остаться.
Agree + to-infinitive.
They agreed that the plan was reasonable.
Они согласились, что план разумен.
Agree + that-clause.
Refuse is normally followed by a to-infinitive when reporting a refusal to perform an action.
For example, He refused to answer the question.
He refused to answer the question.
Он отказался отвечать на вопрос.
Refuse + to-infinitive.
She refused to leave.
Она отказалась уходить.
Refuse + to-infinitive.
Offer can be followed by a to-infinitive when reporting a willingness to perform an action.
For example, She offered to drive us home.
She offered to drive us home.
Она предложила подвезти нас домой.
Offer + to-infinitive.
He offered to help.
Он предложил помочь.
Offer + to-infinitive.
Threaten is commonly followed by a to-infinitive when reporting a threatened action.
For example, He threatened to call the police.
He threatened to call the police.
Он пригрозил вызвать полицию.
Threaten + to-infinitive.
She threatened to leave.
Она пригрозила уйти.
Threaten + to-infinitive.
Claim can introduce a that-clause or a to-infinitive when reporting an assertion.
For example, He claimed that he was innocent and He claimed to have seen the accident.
He claimed that he was innocent.
Он утверждал, что невиновен.
Claim + that-clause.
He claimed to have seen the accident.
Он утверждал, что видел аварию.
Claim + perfect infinitive.
Admit can be followed by a gerund or a that-clause when reporting an admission.
For example, He admitted making a mistake and He admitted that he had made a mistake.
He admitted making a mistake.
Он признал, что совершил ошибку.
Admit + gerund.
He admitted that he had made a mistake.
Он признал, что совершил ошибку.
Admit + that-clause.
Deny is commonly followed by a gerund or a that-clause when reporting a denial.
For example, She denied taking the money and She denied that she had taken the money.
She denied taking the money.
Она отрицала, что взяла деньги.
Deny + gerund.
She denied that she had taken the money.
Она отрицала, что взяла деньги.
Deny + that-clause.
Explain can introduce a that-clause or a question-word clause when reporting an explanation.
For example, She explained that the train was delayed and She explained why she was late.
She explained that the train was delayed.
Она объяснила, что поезд задержали.
Explain + that-clause.
She explained why she was late.
Она объяснила, почему опоздала.
Explain + wh-clause.
Mention is commonly followed by a noun phrase, a gerund, or a that-clause when reporting information that was referred to.
For example, He mentioned the problem, He mentioned having seen her, and He mentioned that the meeting had changed.
He mentioned the problem.
Он упомянул проблему.
Mention + noun phrase.
He mentioned having seen her.
Он упомянул, что видел её.
Mention + gerund.
He mentioned that the meeting had changed.
Он упомянул, что встреча перенесена.
Mention + that-clause.
Admit and confess can both introduce an acknowledgment of wrongdoing or an unpleasant fact, but they have different patterns and typical contexts.
For example, He admitted stealing the money and She confessed to stealing the money.
He admitted stealing the money.
Он признал, что украл деньги.
Admit + gerund.
She confessed to stealing the money.
Она призналась в краже денег.
Confess + to + gerund.
Insist can be followed by a that-clause or by on + gerund when reporting a strong assertion or demand.
For example, He insisted that he was innocent and She insisted on paying the bill.
He insisted that he was innocent.
Он настаивал, что невиновен.
Insist + that-clause.
She insisted on paying the bill.
Она настояла на том, чтобы оплатить счёт.
Insist + on + gerund.
Warn can be followed by an object + to-infinitive, a that-clause, or against + gerund depending on the meaning.
For example, She warned me not to go, She warned us that the road was dangerous, and He warned us against driving at night.
She warned me not to go.
Она предупредила меня не ходить.
Warn + object + not + to-infinitive.
She warned us that the road was dangerous.
Она предупредила нас, что дорога опасна.
Warn + object + that-clause.
He warned us against driving at night.
Он предостерег нас от вождения ночью.
Warn + object + against + gerund.
Remind is commonly followed by an object + to-infinitive when reporting a reminder about a future action.
For example, She reminded me to call the doctor.
She reminded me to call the doctor.
Она напомнила мне позвонить врачу.
Remind + object + to-infinitive.
He reminded me about the meeting.
Он напомнил мне о встрече.
Remind + object + about + noun.
Urge is followed by an object + to-infinitive when reporting strong encouragement or pressure to act.
For example, They urged us to leave immediately.
They urged us to leave immediately.
Они настоятельно советовали нам уйти немедленно.
Urge + object + to-infinitive.
She urged him to apply.
Она убеждала его подать заявку.
Urge + object + to-infinitive.
Persuade is followed by an object + to-infinitive when reporting that someone convinced another person to do something.
For example, She persuaded him to apply for the job.
She persuaded him to apply for the job.
Она убедила его подать заявку на работу.
Persuade + object + to-infinitive.
He persuaded me to stay.
Он уговорил меня остаться.
Persuade + object + to-infinitive.
Encourage is followed by an object + to-infinitive when reporting that someone was encouraged to perform an action.
For example, The teacher encouraged us to ask questions.
The teacher encouraged us to ask questions.
Учитель поощрял нас задавать вопросы.
Encourage + object + to-infinitive.
She encouraged him to try again.
Она воодушевила его попробовать снова.
Encourage + object + to-infinitive.
Instruct is followed by an object + to-infinitive when reporting a formal instruction.
For example, The manager instructed the staff to wait outside.
The manager instructed the staff to wait outside.
Менеджер велел персоналу ждать снаружи.
Instruct + object + to-infinitive.
She instructed us to remain silent.
Она велела нам хранить молчание.
Instruct + object + to-infinitive.
Order is followed by an object + to-infinitive when reporting an authoritative command.
For example, The officer ordered the soldiers to leave.
The officer ordered the soldiers to leave.
Офицер приказал солдатам уйти.
Order + object + to-infinitive.
She ordered him to stop.
Она приказала ему остановиться.
Order + object + to-infinitive.
Beg can be followed by an object + to-infinitive when reporting an urgent or emotional request.
For example, He begged me to stay.
He begged me to stay.
Он умолял меня остаться.
Beg + object + to-infinitive.
She begged him not to leave.
Она умоляла его не уходить.
Beg + object + not + to-infinitive.
Ask can use an object + to-infinitive when reporting a request for someone to perform an action.
For example, She asked me to wait.
She asked me to wait.
Она попросила меня подождать.
Ask + object + to-infinitive.
He asked her to help.
Он попросил её помочь.
Ask + object + to-infinitive.
Many reporting verbs can occur in passive reporting structures when the source or the reported subject is backgrounded.
For example, He is believed to be innocent and She is said to have left the country.
He is believed to be innocent.
Считается, что он невиновен.
Passive reporting: subject + passive + to-infinitive.
She is said to have left the country.
Говорят, что она покинула страну.
Passive reporting with perfect infinitive.
Some reporting verbs require a particular preposition before a following gerund.
For example, He apologized for being late, She insisted on paying, and They accused him of lying.
He apologized for being late.
Он извинился за опоздание.
Apologize + for + gerund.
She insisted on paying.
Она настояла на том, чтобы заплатить.
Insist + on + gerund.
They accused him of lying.
Они обвинили его во лжи.
Accuse + object + of + gerund.
Related reporting verbs can require different complement structures even when their meanings are similar.
For example, suggest doing, advise someone to do, recommend doing, and persuade someone to do use different patterns.
She suggested doing it.
Она предложила сделать это.
Suggest + gerund.
She advised him to do it.
Она посоветовала ему сделать это.
Advise + object + to-infinitive.
She recommended doing it.
Она рекомендовала сделать это.
Recommend + gerund.
She persuaded him to do it.
Она убедила его сделать это.
Persuade + object + to-infinitive.
The choice of reporting verb can indicate certainty, attitude, authority, politeness, emotion, or formality.
Compare said, claimed, admitted, insisted, urged, begged, and ordered; these verbs do more than simply report speech.
He said that he was tired.
Он сказал, что устал.
Neutral reporting verb.
He claimed that he was innocent.
Он утверждал, что невиновен.
Claim: assertion with doubt.
He admitted that he had made a mistake.
Он признал, что совершил ошибку.
Admit: acknowledgment.
He insisted that he was right.
Он настаивал, что прав.
Insist: strong assertion.
Choose the reporting verb according to both the original communicative intention and the grammatical pattern required afterward.
A command, request, warning, promise, admission, and suggestion should not all be reduced to said when the distinction is meaningful.
She told me to leave.
Она велела мне уйти.
Command: tell.
She asked me to leave.
Она попросила меня уйти.
Request: ask.
She warned me not to stay.
Она предупредила меня не оставаться.
Warning: warn.
She promised to help.
Она пообещала помочь.
Promise: commitment.
She suggested leaving.
Она предложила уйти.
Suggestion: suggest.
Use each reporting verb with its correct complement pattern and preserve the intended meaning of the original communication.
Common mistakes include say + object, tell without an object, suggest + object + to-infinitive, incorrect prepositions, and using reporting verbs interchangeably when their meanings differ.
He told me that he was ready.
Он сказал мне, что готов.
Correct: tell + object + that-clause.
He told that he was ready.
Он сказал, что готов.
Incorrect: missing object after tell.
She said me that she was tired.
Она сказала мне, что устала.
Incorrect: say + object.
She suggested us to leave.
Она предложила нам уйти.
Incorrect: suggest + object + to-infinitive.
He apologized for be late.
Он извинился за опоздание.
Incorrect: preposition + gerund required.