Blog about English
Verbs used for reporting speech, thoughts and opinions.
Reporting verbs are used to describe what someone said, thought, believed or communicated.
They replace simple verbs such as say and tell and often provide additional information about the speaker’s intention or attitude.
She said she was tired.
Она сказала, что устала.
"Say" introduces reported speech without specifying the listener.
He told me he was busy.
Он сказал мне, что занят.
"Tell" requires a person as an object.
She asked where I lived.
Она спросила, где я живу.
"Ask" reports questions.
They mentioned that the meeting was postponed.
Они упомянули, что собрание перенесли.
"Mention" adds information about how something was said.
Say and tell have different grammatical patterns.
Say is normally followed by the message, while tell usually requires a person as an object.
She said that she was happy.
Она сказала, что счастлива.
"Say" is followed by the message (that-clause).
She told me that she was happy.
Она сказала мне, что счастлива.
"Tell" requires an object (the person addressed).
He said, "I am leaving."
Он сказал: «Я ухожу».
Direct speech with "say".
He told us to leave.
Он велел нам уйти.
"Tell" can introduce commands with an object + infinitive.
Ask is used to report questions, requests and invitations.
It can be followed by a question clause, an object plus infinitive, or a direct question.
She asked where I lived.
Она спросила, где я живу.
"Ask" + question word clause.
He asked if I was free.
Он спросил, свободен ли я.
"Ask" + if/whether clause for yes/no questions.
She asked me to help her.
Она попросила меня помочь ей.
"Ask" + object + infinitive for requests.
They asked us to dinner.
Они пригласили нас на ужин.
"Ask" can also mean invite (ask someone to something).
Reporting verbs introduce statements using that-clauses.
Examples include He explained that..., She mentioned that..., They confirmed that...
He explained that the train was delayed.
Он объяснил, что поезд задерживается.
"Explain" + that-clause reports a statement.
She mentioned that she had seen the film.
Она упомянула, что видела этот фильм.
"Mention" introduces a casual statement.
They confirmed that the order had shipped.
Они подтвердили, что заказ отправлен.
"Confirm" reports a definite statement.
She added that the meeting was cancelled.
Она добавила, что собрание отменено.
"Add" continues a previous statement.
He stated that the project was on schedule.
Он заявил, что проект идёт по графику.
"State" is more formal than "say".
Reported questions use question words or if/whether clauses.
Examples include She asked where I lived and He wondered whether they were ready.
She asked where I lived.
Она спросила, где я живу.
Reported wh-question with normal word order.
He wondered whether they were ready.
Он поинтересовался, готовы ли они.
"Wonder" + whether/if for reported yes/no questions.
They wanted to know what time the store opened.
Они хотели узнать, во сколько открывается магазин.
"Want to know" is a common reporting phrase for questions.
She inquired if the tickets were still available.
Она поинтересовалась, есть ли ещё билеты.
"Inquire" is more formal than "ask".
I asked him why he was late.
Я спросил его, почему он опоздал.
Object + question word clause.
Commands and requests are reported using object + infinitive structures.
Examples include He told me to wait and She asked him not to leave.
He told me to wait.
Он велел мне подождать.
"Tell" + object + infinitive for commands.
She asked him not to leave.
Она попросила его не уходить.
Negative request with "ask" + object + infinitive.
The manager ordered the workers to stop.
Менеджер приказал рабочим остановиться.
"Order" expresses a strong command.
She begged him to stay.
Она умоляла его остаться.
"Beg" shows an emotional request.
Many reporting verbs are followed by a to-infinitive.
Examples include promise to help, refuse to answer and agree to participate.
She promised to help.
Она пообещала помочь.
"Promise" + to-infinitive.
He refused to answer the question.
Он отказался отвечать на вопрос.
"Refuse" takes the to-infinitive.
They agreed to participate.
Они согласились участвовать.
"Agree" is followed by to-infinitive, not gerund.
She offered to drive us home.
Она предложила подвезти нас домой.
"Offer" + to-infinitive.
He threatened to quit.
Он пригрозил уволиться.
"Threaten" + to-infinitive.
Some verbs require an object before the infinitive.
Examples include advise someone to do something, encourage someone to try and remind someone to call.
I advised him to see a doctor.
Я посоветовал ему обратиться к врачу.
"Advise" + object + to-infinitive.
She encouraged me to try again.
Она воодушевила меня попробовать ещё раз.
"Encourage" + object + to-infinitive.
He reminded her to call him.
Он напомнил ей позвонить ему.
"Remind" + object + to-infinitive.
They invited us to stay for dinner.
Они пригласили нас остаться на ужин.
"Invite" + object + to-infinitive.
The teacher told the students to be quiet.
Учитель велел ученикам замолчать.
"Tell" + object + to-infinitive for instructions.
Some reporting verbs are followed by a gerund.
Examples include admit doing, deny knowing and suggest going.
He admitted stealing the money.
Он признался в краже денег.
"Admit" + gerund.
She denied knowing anything about it.
Она отрицала, что знала что-либо об этом.
"Deny" + gerund (not to-infinitive).
They suggested going to the cinema.
Они предложили пойти в кино.
"Suggest" + gerund (not "suggest to go").
I recommended reading that book.
Я порекомендовал прочитать эту книгу.
"Recommend" + gerund (or + that-clause).
She mentioned visiting Paris last year.
Она упомянула, что посетила Париж в прошлом году.
"Mention" + gerund for past actions.
Many reporting verbs introduce a that-clause.
Examples include claim that, explain that, insist that and announce that.
He claimed that he had seen the accident.
Он утверждал, что видел аварию.
"Claim" + that-clause.
She explained that the project was delayed.
Она объяснила, что проект задерживается.
"Explain" + that-clause.
They insisted that we stay for dinner.
Они настояли, чтобы мы остались на ужин.
"Insist" + that-clause (often with subjunctive or should).
The company announced that profits had risen.
Компания объявила, что прибыль выросла.
"Announce" + that-clause.
He admitted that he had made a mistake.
Он признал, что совершил ошибку.
"Admit" can also take a that-clause.
Some reporting verbs describe beliefs, opinions and conclusions.
Examples include believe, think, assume, suspect, consider and conclude.
She believed that he was innocent.
Она верила, что он невиновен.
"Believe" + that-clause.
I think that we should leave early.
Я думаю, что нам следует уйти пораньше.
"Think" can introduce an opinion.
They assumed that the meeting was cancelled.
Они предположили, что собрание отменено.
"Assume" implies something taken for granted.
The police suspected that he was lying.
Полиция подозревала, что он лжёт.
"Suspect" + that-clause.
She concluded that further research was needed.
Она пришла к выводу, что необходимы дальнейшие исследования.
"Conclude" reports a final opinion.
Reporting verbs can show agreement, refusal or opposition.
Examples include agree, accept, deny, reject and object.
He agreed to help.
Он согласился помочь.
"Agree" + to-infinitive.
She accepted the offer.
Она приняла предложение.
"Accept" takes a direct object.
They denied any involvement.
Они отрицали какую-либо причастность.
"Deny" + noun/gerund.
He rejected the proposal.
Он отверг предложение.
"Reject" takes a direct object.
She objected to the plan.
Она возражала против плана.
"Object" requires the preposition "to".
Some reporting verbs introduce advice or suggestions.
Examples include advise, recommend, suggest and urge.
The doctor advised him to rest.
Врач посоветовал ему отдохнуть.
"Advise" + object + to-infinitive.
I recommend that you see a specialist.
Я рекомендую вам обратиться к специалисту.
"Recommend" + that-clause with base form or should.
She suggested trying a different approach.
Она предложила попробовать другой подход.
"Suggest" + gerund.
They urged us to act quickly.
Они настоятельно советовали нам действовать быстро.
"Urge" + object + to-infinitive.
The teacher recommended studying every day.
Учитель рекомендовал заниматься каждый день.
"Recommend" + gerund is also possible.
Some verbs communicate warnings or reminders.
Examples include warn someone to do something and remind someone about something.
She warned him to be careful.
Она предостерегла его быть осторожным.
"Warn" + object + to-infinitive.
He reminded me to call my mother.
Он напомнил мне позвонить маме.
"Remind" + object + to-infinitive.
They warned us about the danger.
Они предупредили нас об опасности.
"Warn" + object + about + noun.
I reminded her about the meeting.
Я напомнил ей о собрании.
"Remind" + object + about + noun.
Academic writing uses reporting verbs to show evidence, argument and interpretation.
Examples include demonstrate, indicate, reveal, argue and suggest.
The study demonstrates that exercise improves health.
Исследование демонстрирует, что физические упражнения улучшают здоровье.
"Demonstrate" is strong academic reporting verb.
The data indicates a significant trend.
Данные указывают на значительную тенденцию.
"Indicate" is commonly used in research.
The results reveal a clear pattern.
Результаты выявляют чёткую закономерность.
"Reveal" introduces findings.
The author argues that policy must change.
Автор утверждает, что политика должна измениться.
"Argue" presents a debatable position.
Previous research suggests that diet matters.
Предыдущие исследования предполагают, что диета имеет значение.
"Suggest" is less strong than "prove".
Reporting verbs differ in how strongly they present information.
Compare claim, suggest, prove and demonstrate.
He claimed that he was innocent.
Он утверждал, что невиновен.
"Claim" indicates an assertion, not necessarily true.
The report suggests that sales will rise.
Отчёт предполагает, что продажи вырастут.
"Suggest" is tentative.
The evidence proves that he was there.
Доказательства доказывают, что он был там.
"Prove" is very strong.
The results demonstrate a clear link.
Результаты демонстрируют явную связь.
"Demonstrate" is stronger than "suggest".
Some reporting verbs are commonly used in passive constructions.
Examples include It is believed that..., He is thought to have..., The study is reported to show...
It is believed that the company will merge.
Считается, что компания объединится.
Impersonal passive with "it is believed that...".
He is thought to have left the country.
Полагают, что он покинул страну.
Passive + perfect infinitive for past action.
The study is reported to show significant results.
Сообщается, что исследование показывает значительные результаты.
Passive reporting verb with to-infinitive.
It is said that she is very talented.
Говорят, что она очень талантлива.
Common passive reporting expression.
The minister is known to have opposed the plan.
Известно, что министр выступал против плана.
"Be known to" + perfect infinitive.
Perfect infinitives show that the reported action happened earlier.
Example: She is believed to have left the country.
She is believed to have left the country.
Полагают, что она покинула страну.
Perfect infinitive shows earlier action.
He is said to have written three books.
Говорят, что он написал три книги.
"Be said to" + perfect infinitive.
They are reported to have signed the agreement.
Сообщается, что они подписали соглашение.
Passive with perfect infinitive.
The painting is known to have been stolen.
Известно, что картина была украдена.
Perfect passive infinitive.
Reporting verbs are the foundation of indirect speech structures.
They determine the grammatical pattern and sometimes influence tense changes.
She said, "I am tired."
Она сказала: «Я устала».
Direct speech.
She said that she was tired.
Она сказала, что устала.
Indirect speech with tense shift.
He asked, "Where do you live?"
Он спросил: «Где ты живёшь?»
Direct question.
He asked where I lived.
Он спросил, где я живу.
Indirect question with word order change.
Use the correct verb pattern after each reporting verb.
Common mistakes include incorrect prepositions, missing objects, wrong infinitive forms and confusing say and tell.
She said me that she was busy.
Она сказала мне, что занята.
Incorrect: "say" does not take an indirect object. Use "told me" or "said to me".
He told that he was tired.
Он сказал, что устал.
Incorrect: "tell" requires an object: "told me that he was tired".
She suggested to go to the park.
Она предложила пойти в парк.
Incorrect: "suggest" should be followed by gerund (suggested going) or that-clause.
He advised me going to the doctor.
Он посоветовал мне пойти к врачу.
Incorrect: "advise" takes object + to-infinitive (advised me to go).
She asked where did I live.
Она спросила, где я живу.
Incorrect: reported questions use normal word order, not question order.
He denied to steal the money.
Он отрицал, что украл деньги.
Incorrect: "deny" takes gerund (denied stealing), not to-infinitive.