Reported speech — advanced reporting verbs

At B2 you mastered the five core reporting-verb patterns: V + that, V + V-ing, V + sb + to V, V + sb + that, V + sb + prep + sth. At C1 the focus moves from the patterns themselves to the full reporting-verb inventory — the 20-plus verbs that capture not only what someone said but with what stance, intention, and attitude.

This is the part of English grammar where vocabulary and grammar fuse. Choosing claim over say signals doubt about the truth. Choosing insist signals conviction under pressure. Choosing concede signals reluctant agreement. The verb is the interpretation. And each verb has its own grammatical pattern — get the pattern wrong and you can’t even use the verb correctly.

This lesson is a reference: each of the major C1 reporting verbs with its pattern, an example, and notes on the stance it conveys. Read it as a working catalog you can come back to.

The pattern system recap

Five patterns, from B2, summarized:

Many verbs take more than one pattern. The catalog below covers each verb’s pattern(s) and stance.

The C1 reporting-verb catalog

accuse — Pattern 5 (V + sb + of + V-ing/sth)

accuse sb of sth or V-ing — to claim that someone has done something wrong.

• They accused him of stealing from the till.
• The senator accused the press of bias.
• She accused her partner of forgetting their anniversary.

Stance: blame, sometimes formally (in legal contexts: accused of murder) or informally.

admit — Patterns 1, 2 (V + that / V + V-ing / V + to + V-ing)

admit (that) + clause / admit (to) V-ing

• He admitted (that) he had lied.
• She admitted lying about her age.
• He admitted to taking the file. (with to)

Stance: confession; often reluctant. Admit to (with preposition) carries slightly more formality.

agree — Patterns 1, 3-modified (V + that / V + to + V)

agree (that) + clause / agree to V

• They agreed (that) the plan needed work.
• She agreed to help us move.
• He agreed to attend the meeting.

Note: agree to V (without object) means accept the proposal. Agree with sb means share their opinion (different structure).

announce — Pattern 1, also 4 (V + that / V + sth + to sb)

announce (that) + clause / announce sth (to sb)

• She announced (that) she would run for office.
• The CEO announced the merger to the staff.
• They announced the winner at midnight.

Stance: formal public statement.

apologize — Pattern 5 (V + to sb + for sth/V-ing)

apologize to sb for sth/V-ing

• He apologized to me for being late.
• She apologized to the board for the oversight.
• I apologized for not calling sooner.

Note: to the person, for the offense. Russian speakers often skip to: He apologized me for… — incorrect.

argue — Pattern 1 (V + that)

argue (that) + clause / argue with sb (about sth)

• She argued (that) the policy was unfair.
• He argued with his partner about the budget.
• Critics argue that the plan is too expensive.

Stance: present reasoned position, often in opposition.

blame — Pattern 5 (V + sb + for + sth/V-ing) or (V + sth + on + sb)

blame sb for sth / blame sth on sb

• They blamed him for the delay.
• They blamed the delay on him.
• She blamed me for not warning her sooner.

Stance: assign fault. Note the two paraphrases — both common.

claim — Pattern 1, 3-modified (V + that / V + to V)

claim (that) + clause / claim to V (rare; claim to + V-ing also rare)

• He claimed (that) he had never met her.
• She claims to speak four languages. (= asserts the ability)
• He claims to be the rightful heir.

Stance: assert without proof. The speaker (reporter) is often skeptical — claim implies “this is what they say, but…“

complain — Pattern 1 (V + that), also 5 (V + about + sth/V-ing)

complain (that) + clause / complain about sth/V-ing

• They complained (that) the room was cold.
• She complained about the noise.
• He complained about being passed over.

Stance: express dissatisfaction.

concede — Pattern 1 (V + that)

concede (that) + clause

• He conceded (that) the criticism had merit.
• She conceded (that) the data were ambiguous.

Stance: reluctant agreement; admitting under pressure of evidence. Common in academic and editorial register.

confess — Pattern 1, 2 (V + that / V + to V-ing)

confess (that) + clause / confess to V-ing

• He confessed (that) he had taken the money.
• She confessed to lying on the form.
• I have to confess to being disappointed. (idiomatic; mild)

Stance: admit something embarrassing or wrong. Confess to with idiomatic uses (confess to a fondness for…) is common in C1 prose.

deny — Pattern 1, 2 (V + that / V + V-ing)

deny (that) + clause / deny V-ing

• She denied (that) she had lied.
• He denied taking the file.
• They denied any involvement.

Note: deny + sb + to V is wrong*. NOT He denied me to leave. Use refuse to allow or forbid.

explain — Pattern 1, 4-modified (V + that / V + sth + to sb / V + to sb + that)

explain (that) + clause / explain sth to sb / explain to sb that

• He explained (that) the train had been delayed.
• She explained the problem to me.
• He explained to the class that the test would be open-book.

Note: NOT He explained me the problem. Use to me. Russian speakers consistently err here.

insist — Pattern 1 (V + that) — often with mandative subjunctive

insist (that) + clause / insist on V-ing / insist on sth

• She insisted (that) he be there on time. (subjunctive, formal)
• She insisted (that) he was there on time. (indicative, casual)
• He insisted on paying for dinner.
• They insisted on a refund.

Stance: assert with conviction; persist against resistance. The mandative subjunctive after insist is much more common in AmE than BrE.

offer — Pattern 3-modified (V + to V / V + sb + sth)

offer to V / offer sb sth

• He offered to help with the move.
• She offered me a ride.
• They offered to pay for the damages.

Stance: voluntary; helpful intent.

persuade — Patterns 3, 4 (V + sb + to V / V + sb + that)

persuade sb to V / persuade sb (that) + clause

• I persuaded her to come with us.
• He persuaded me that the deal was good.

Stance: convinced through argument; implies success of effort (compare try to persuade).

promise — Patterns 1, 3-modified, 4 (V + that / V + to V / V + sb + that / V + sb + to V)

promise (that) + clause / promise to V / promise sb (that) + clause / promise sb sth

• He promised (that) he would be on time.
• She promised to call.
• He promised me (that) he would come.
• They promised her the moon.

Stance: commit to future action. Very flexible patterns.

recommend — Patterns 1 (subjunctive), 2 (V + V-ing)

recommend (that) + clause (subjunctive) / recommend V-ing / recommend sth

• I recommend (that) you take the highway. (subjunctive, AmE)
• I recommend taking the highway.
• I’d recommend the duck.

Note: recommend + sb + to V is wrong* in standard English: NOT I recommended him to take the highway. Use that + bare V or V-ing.

refuse — Pattern 3-modified (V + to V / V + sb + sth)

refuse to V / refuse sb sth

• He refused to apologize.
• She refused him entry.
• They refused to comment.

Stance: decline; firm rejection.

regret — Patterns 1, 2 (V + that / V + V-ing) — see also lesson 16

regret (that) + clause / regret V-ing / regret to V (formal preamble)

• He regrets (that) he didn’t apply earlier.
• She regretted lying to her parents.
• We regret to inform you that the position has been filled.

Stance: feel sorrow about past action; or formal announcement of unwelcome news.

remind — Patterns 3, 4 (V + sb + to V / V + sb + that)

remind sb to V / remind sb (that) + clause / remind sb of/about sth

• She reminded me to call the doctor.
• He reminded me (that) the meeting was Friday.
• That song reminds me of summer.

Stance: refresh memory.

request — Patterns 1 (subjunctive), 3, 4

request (that) + clause (subjunctive) / request to V / request sth / request sb to V (very formal)

• We request (that) all phones be silenced. (subjunctive)
• He requested to speak to the manager.
• She requested an extension.

Stance: formal asking.

suggest — Patterns 1 (subjunctive), 2 (V + V-ing)

suggest (that) + clause (subjunctive) / suggest V-ing / suggest sth

• I suggest (that) we leave at noon. (subjunctive — AmE strong)
• I suggest leaving at noon.
• She suggested a different approach.

Note: suggest + sb + to V is wrong* — one of the most classic Russian-speaker mistakes.

threaten — Patterns 1, 3-modified (V + that / V + to V)

threaten (that) + clause / threaten to V / threaten sb with sth

• He threatened (that) he would quit.
• He threatened to quit.
• They threatened her with legal action.

Stance: warn with negative consequence.

urge — Patterns 3 (V + sb + to V), 1 (V + that subjunctive)

urge sb to V / urge (that) + clause (subjunctive)

• They urged the senator to vote yes.
• We urge (that) the policy be reviewed. (subjunctive, formal)

Stance: strongly encourage.

warn — Patterns 1, 3, 4, 5 (V + that / V + sb + to V / V + sb + that / V + sb + about + sth)

warn (sb) (that) + clause / warn sb to V / warn sb about sth / warn sb of sth

• She warned (us) (that) the road was closed.
• He warned me not to call after ten.
• They warned us about the storm.
• Doctors warn of long-term damage.

Stance: caution; preempt.

Reporting verbs by stance

A different cut of the same catalog — by what the verb signals about the speaker’s stance.

C1 writers choose the verb that captures the stance. Reaching for say in every reporting context flattens the prose; deliberate verb choice sharpens it.

Backshift recap and edge cases

The basic backshift rule (B1): when the reporting verb is past, the reported tense shifts back one step. I am tired → He said he was tired.

At C1, three edge cases:

1. Universal truths — backshift optional

• He said the Earth goes/went around the sun. (both fine; goes is more natural for permanent truth)
• She explained that water boils/boiled at 100°C. (same)

2. Recent or still-true statements — backshift often skipped

• She said she likes/liked it. (if she still likes it, likes is natural)
• He told me he lives/lived in Brooklyn. (if he still lives there, lives)

3. Modal backshift

• will → would
• can → could
• may → might
• must (obligation) → had to
• should, would, could, might, ought to don’t backshift: He said he should leave (stays should)

AmE notes

The mandative subjunctive after suggest, recommend, insist, demand, propose, request, require is much stronger in AmE. Where BrE often uses should + V (I suggest he should leave) or just indicative (I suggest he leaves), AmE writing strongly prefers the bare subjunctive: I suggest he leave. See lesson 20 for full coverage.

AmE business email reporting verbs:

• Per our conversation, you indicated/mentioned/noted that…
• As discussed, we agreed that…
• I confirm that…
• To clarify: I’m not suggesting that…

These verbs replace casual said in professional contexts.

Specific AmE preferences:

• Reach out to + sb = contact someone (AmE casual: I’ll reach out to her tomorrow).
• Loop in sb = include in communication (Let me loop you in on the thread).
• Touch base with sb = check in informally (I want to touch base with you about Q3).

These aren’t reporting verbs strictly, but they shape the AmE business reported-speech ecosystem.

Pronunciation notes

• Reporting verbs in narrative often take strong stress because they interpret: She DENIED taking the money.
• That in V + that clauses is almost always unstressed: /ðət/. In fast speech, that can drop entirely: He said he was tired (no that).
• To in V + sb + to V reduces: I asked him to leave /tə liːv/.
• Subjunctive be sometimes carries extra weight: I insist that he BE there — the unusual bare form is felt.
• Prepositional reporting verbs reduce their prepositions: accused him of lying /əv/, thanked her for helping /fər/, congratulated him on his promotion /ən/.

Common Russian-speaker mistakes

1. Suggest/recommend + sb + to V: I suggested him to leave → I suggested that he leave / I suggested leaving. These verbs reject Pattern 3.
2. Wrong preposition with accuse: accuse sb in sth → accuse sb of sth. Russian в doesn’t map to English of.
3. Wrong preposition with congratulate: congratulate sb with… → congratulate sb on…
4. Apologize without to: He apologized me for being late → He apologized to me for being late. The to is mandatory before the person.
5. Explain + sb + sth: He explained me the problem → He explained the problem to me. / He explained to me what the problem was. Explain takes to sb, never bare sb.
6. Tell vs say: He said me he was tired / He told that he was tired → He told me he was tired / He said he was tired. Tell requires an object; say refuses one.
7. Deny + sb + to V: He denied me to leave → He refused to let me leave. / He forbade me from leaving. Deny doesn’t take a person object with to-infinitive.
8. Remind + that without person: He reminded that I had to call → He reminded me that I had to call. Remind requires an object.
9. Wrong subjunctive form: I suggest that he goes (in formal writing) → I suggest that he go. AmE subjunctive uses bare V — no third-person -s.

Summary

• Each C1 reporting verb has its own pattern; using the right verb with the wrong pattern produces ungrammatical English.
• Pattern 5 prepositions are non-negotiable: accuse of, blame for, congratulate on, apologize to/for, complain about.
• Suggest, recommend, propose, demand, insist, request, require reject sb + to V. Use V-ing or that + bare V.
• Mandative subjunctive after suggest/recommend/insist/demand/propose is strong in AmE — see lesson 20.
• Choose the reporting verb for stance: claim (skeptical), insist (forceful), concede (yielding), deny (rejecting).
• Tell takes an object; say refuses one. Explain to sb that… — never explain sb that.
• AmE business uses reach out, loop in, touch base alongside traditional reporting verbs.

Next lesson: Complement clauses and nominalization — the fact that, the idea that, and the academic-style noun-clause construction that powers formal English prose.