RS with reporting verbs

You should come, it's going to be a lot of fun,' she said.

• She persuaded me to come.

• She persuaded me to coming.

Answer explanation

When we tell someone what another person said, we often use the verbs say, tell or ask. These are called 'reporting verbs'. However, we can also use other reporting verbs. Many reporting verbs can be followed by another verb in either an infinitive or an -ing form. 

'Wait here,' he said.

• He told us to waiting there.

• He told us to wait there.

Answer explanation

When we tell someone what another person said, we often use the verbs say, tell or ask. These are called 'reporting verbs'. However, we can also use other reporting verbs. Many reporting verbs can be followed by another verb in either an infinitive or an -ing form. 

'It wasn't me who finished the coffee,' he said.

• He denied to finish the coffee.

• He denied finishing the coffee.

Answer explanation

When we tell someone what another person said, we often use the verbs say, tell or ask. These are called 'reporting verbs'. However, we can also use other reporting verbs. Many reporting verbs can be followed by another verb in either an infinitive or an -ing form. 

'Let's see. I'll have the risotto, please.'

• He decided to having the risotto.

• He decided to have the risotto.

Answer explanation

Verbs like advise, agree, challenge, claim, decide, demand, encourage, invite, offer, persuade, promise, refuse and remind can follow an infinitive pattern.

'I'll do the report by Friday, for sure.'

• She promised to do the report by Friday.

• She promised to doing the report by Friday.

Answer explanation

Verbs like advise, agree, challenge, claim, decide, demand, encourage, invite, offer, persuade, promise, refuse and remind can follow an infinitive pattern.

'It's not a good idea to write your passwords down.'

• They advised us not to writing our passwords down.

• They advised us not to write our passwords down.

Answer explanation

Verbs like advise, agree, challenge, claim, decide, demand, encourage, invite, offer, persuade, promise, refuse and remind can follow an infinitive pattern.

'Please wait for me in reception.'

• The guide told us to waiting for her in reception.

• The guide told us to wait for her in reception.

Answer explanation

We can also use an infinitive to report imperatives, with a reporting verb like tell, order, instruct, direct or warn.

'Don't go in there!'

• The police officer warned us not to going in there.

• The police officer warned us not to go in there.

Answer explanation

We can also use an infinitive to report imperatives, with a reporting verb like tell, order, instruct, direct or warn.

'I broke the window.'

• She admitted to break the window.

• She admitted breaking the window.

Answer explanation

Verbs like admit, apologise for, complain about, deny, insist on, mention and suggest can follow an -ing form pattern.

'I'm really sorry I didn't get back to you sooner.'

• He apologised for not getting back to me sooner.

• He apologised for not get back to me sooner.

Answer explanation

Verbs like admit, apologise for, complain about, deny, insist on, mention and suggest can follow an -ing form pattern.