Explanation
Exercises
Reporting Verb Patterns

Lesson focus

Advanced verb-complement patterns after reporting verbs: gerunds, infinitives, prepositions and that-clauses

Advanced aim: Control verb complementation after reporting verbs and recognise dialect/register alternatives where more than one pattern is standard.

Admit doing

Admit is commonly followed by an -ing form when acknowledging an action.

  • Example: He admitted altering the figures before the presentation.
  • In another context: He admitted altering the performance data before the presentation.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Deny doing

Deny is followed by an -ing form, not an infinitive.

  • Example: The company denied sharing customer data with third parties.
  • In another context: The research institute denied sharing employee records with third parties.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Accuse of

Accuse takes object + of + -ing.

  • Example: They accused the contractor of ignoring repeated safety warnings.
  • In another context: They accused the construction partner of ignoring repeated safety warnings.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Insist on

Insist on is followed by a noun or -ing form when it means demand to do something oneself.

  • Example: She insisted on reviewing every clause before signing.
  • In another context: Alternative case study: She insisted on reviewing every clause before signing.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Warn against

Warn against + -ing is used to advise someone not to do something.

  • Example: The regulator warned banks against relying on a single data source.
  • In another context: The inspectorate warned banks against relying on a single material source.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Advise someone to

Advise can take object + to-infinitive when giving guidance to a person.

  • Example: The consultant advised us to postpone the launch.
  • In another context: The consultant advised us to postpone the product release.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Urge someone to

Urge takes object + to-infinitive to express strong advice or encouragement.

  • Example: Officials urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel.
  • In another context: Follow-up case: Officials urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Recommend that

Recommend can take a that-clause. The mandative base form is common in formal/international English; should and, in some varieties, an indicative clause are also standard depending on dialect and register.

  • Example: The panel recommended that the company revise its complaints procedure.
  • In another context: The panel recommended that the agency revise its complaints procedure.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Suggest doing

Suggest is commonly followed by an -ing form when no new subject is introduced.

  • Example: I suggest checking the assumptions before we rerun the model.
  • In another context: I suggest checking the assumptions before we rerun the simulation.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

Apologise for

Apologise for is followed by a noun or -ing form.

  • Example: She apologised for interrupting the discussion.
  • In another context: Separate scenario: She apologised for interrupting the discussion.

C1 focus: Choose this form for the intended meaning and discourse effect; nearby alternatives may be grammatical but can change viewpoint, scope, time reference or register.

C1 takeaway

Do not ask only “Which form is grammatically possible?” Ask what the speaker is presenting as background or foreground, completed or ongoing, certain or tentative, generic or specific, neutral or emphatic. Advanced grammar is the control of those choices.

Exercises:
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2
3

Advanced verb-complement patterns after reporting verbs: gerunds, infinitives, prepositions and that-clauses

Practice 1 · Controlled production

Complete each gap using the stated cue. Read the whole context; some items accept more than one form.

1
Use ADMIT and ALTER to report a past acknowledgement:
The photographer the image before submitting it.
2
Use DENY and SHARE to report a past rejection of an allegation:
The employee the access code.
3
Use ACCUSE to report a past allegation:
They misleading the group. Include THE GUIDE.
4
Use INSIST and REVIEW to report her past demand to perform the task herself:
She the original recordings herself.
5
Use WARN and AGAINST in a past report:
The pharmacist mixing the remedies. Include CUSTOMERS.
6
Use ADVISE and POSTPONE in a past report:
The solicitor the sale. Include US.
7
Use URGE and AVOID in a past report:
Officials the unstable footbridge. Include RESIDENTS.
8
Use RECOMMEND in a that-clause with the base form:
The panel recommended that the museum its provenance checks. Use IMPROVE.
9
Use SUGGEST and CHECK without introducing a new subject:
I the calibration before rerunning the analysis.
10
Use APOLOGISE and INTERRUPT to report a past apology:
He the consultation.

Advanced verb-complement patterns after reporting verbs: gerunds, infinitives, prepositions and that-clauses

Practice 2 · Contextual choice

Choose the option that best fits the stated meaning, viewpoint or register.

1
Acknowledge an earlier act:
The archivist a date on the record.
2
Reject responsibility for a disclosure:
The assistant the names.
3
Make the target of an accusation explicit:
They accused .
4
Express a demand to perform the task oneself:
The designer insisted the final proofs personally.
5
Use a warning against an action:
The ranger warned hikers .
6
Give advice to a named recipient:
She advised .
7
Express strong encouragement:
The mayor urged .
8
Select the British should-mandative alternative:
They recommended that the evidence .
9
Suggest an activity without naming a separate doer:
I suggest the samples independently.
10
Apologise for an earlier interruption:
She apologised .

Advanced verb-complement patterns after reporting verbs: gerunds, infinitives, prepositions and that-clauses

Practice 3 · C1 challenge

Choose the interpretation or analysis that best fits the example.

1
“He admitted locking the gate.” Does admitted mean he promised a future locking?
2
“She denied having copied it.” What does having copied emphasise?
3
“They accused her of withholding evidence.” Does the sentence prove withholding occurred?
4
“He insisted that he was innocent.” Which meaning of insist is natural?
5
Is “warned us not to enter” a legitimate alternative to “warned us against entering”?
6
“She advised waiting” versus “She advised us to wait.” What does the second make explicit?
7
“They urged him to reconsider.” Does reconsideration necessarily follow?
8
“I recommend that she take a break.” Must “should take” be rejected?
9
“I suggested to Mia that we leave.” Is to Mia the subject of an infinitive?
10
“He apologised for being late.” What is being late's role?