Intermediate 📐 Grammar · #109 of 305

Reporting Verbs

suggest, admit, deny, promise, warn use varied patterns.

Examples

  • He admitted stealing it.
  • She promised to call.

Key rules

  • Verb + that clause: admit, claim, explain, promise
  • Verb + object + to-infinitive: advise, warn, remind, invite
  • Verb + gerund: suggest, deny, apologise for
  • Verb + to-infinitive: refuse, offer, agree

Common mistakes

  • He suggested to go out → He suggested going out
  • She denied to take it → She denied taking it
💡 Tip: Learn each reporting verb with its pattern, not only its meaning.
Practise this topic in the appPractise Intermediate quiz
← Reported Commands and RequestsRelative Clauses: Defining →

Related Intermediate topics

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Present Perfect Continuous

have been + -ing stresses duration up to now.

Past Perfect

had + past participle for an earlier past action.

Past Perfect Continuous

had been + -ing for duration before a past moment.

Future Continuous

will be + -ing for actions in progress at a future time.

Future Perfect

will have + past participle for completion before a future time.

Future Perfect Continuous

will have been + -ing for duration up to a future point.