Reporting verbs like admit, deny, suggest, recommend, and explain each follow their own pattern, different from say and tell. Admit and deny take a gerund or that clause, as in he admitted stealing the money, suggest and recommend never take an infinitive, and explain needs to before the listener.
Grammar Rule
Reporting verbs each follow their own pattern, different from say and tell.
Reporting Verbs: Rules and Examples
| Verb | Followed by | Example |
|---|---|---|
| admit / deny | gerund or that clause | He admitted stealing the money. She denied breaking the vase. |
| suggest / recommend | gerund or that clause (never infinitive) | I suggest going to the beach. The doctor recommended taking a break. |
| explain | to + listener + that clause | He explained to us that he was late. |
Remember: suggest/recommend + gerund or that clause, never infinitive; explain to + listener.
Practice Test
Instructions
Answer each question in the test below using the correct pattern for each reporting verb. You will get a new random set of questions every time you retake the test, plus a downloadable results summary with your name and score at the end.
Reporting Verbs – Admit, Deny, Suggest, Recommend, Explain
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Frequently Asked Questions
What follows admit and deny?
A gerund or a that clause, as in he admitted stealing the money or she denied that she broke the vase.
Can suggest and recommend be followed by an infinitive?
No, they are followed by a gerund or a that clause, never an infinitive, as in I suggest going to the beach.
How do you use explain with a listener?
Add to before the listener, followed by a that clause, as in he explained to us that he was late.
Why are these verbs different from say and tell?
Each reporting verb has its own fixed pattern of what can follow it, unlike say and tell, which mainly use a that clause or an object plus a that clause.