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.
Advanced verb-complement patterns after reporting verbs: gerunds, infinitives, prepositions and that-clauses
He _____ the latest estimates before the presentation.
The manufacturer _____ survey responses with third parties.
Alternative case study: They _____ repeated safety warnings.
Regional example: She _____ every clause before signing.
The oversight body _____ on a single records source.
The consultant _____ the public rollout.
Alternative case study: Officials _____ unnecessary travel.
Regional example: The panel _____ its complaints procedure.
I _____ the assumptions before we rerun the forecasting model.
Follow-up case: She _____ the discussion.
Advanced verb-complement patterns after reporting verbs: gerunds, infinitives, prepositions and that-clauses
He _____ the survey results before the presentation.
The agency _____ account information with third parties.
Regional example: They _____ repeated safety warnings.
Separate scenario: She _____ every clause before signing.
The supervisory agency _____ on a single evidence source.
The consultant _____ the pilot start.
Regional example: Officials _____ unnecessary travel.
Separate scenario: The panel _____ its complaints procedure.
I _____ the assumptions before we rerun the scoring system.
Alternative case study: She _____ the discussion.
Advanced verb-complement patterns after reporting verbs: gerunds, infinitives, prepositions and that-clauses
He admitted altering the projections before the presentation.
The publishing group denied sharing patient records with third parties.
Separate scenario: They accused the contractor of ignoring repeated safety warnings.
Follow-up case: She insisted on reviewing every clause before signing.
The standards authority warned banks against relying on a single information source.
The consultant advised us to postpone the service launch.
Separate scenario: Officials urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel.
Follow-up case: The panel recommended that the company revise its complaints procedure.
I suggest checking the assumptions before we rerun the prototype.
Regional example: She apologised for interrupting the discussion.