She suggested going / He denied taking it: reporting verbs
The pattern each reporting verb takes: -ing, to + infinitive, that, or a preposition
What you'll be able to do
Report conversations and meetings precisely: what people suggested, admitted, refused or promised, as in minutes, emails and stories.
The patterns
| Pattern | Verbs | Example |
|---|---|---|
| + -ing | suggest, recommend, admit, deny | He denied taking the money. |
| + to + infinitive | agree, refuse, promise, offer, threaten | She refused to sign the contract. |
| + person + to + infinitive | advise, warn, remind, persuade, invite, encourage | They advised me to wait. |
| + preposition + -ing | apologise for, insist on, accuse someone of, blame someone for | He apologised for being late. |
| + that-clause | suggest, recommend, explain, admit, insist | She suggested that we leave early. |
- My manager suggested taking a break.suggest + -ing
- The company agreed to pay for the damage.agree + to
- The doctor warned me not to lift anything heavy.warn + person + not to
- She accused him of lying.accuse + person + of + -ing
Suggest and recommend never take someone to: She suggested me to go. Say She suggested going or She suggested that I go.
Common mistakes
He suggested me to apply.→ He suggested that I apply or He suggested applying.She denied to take it.→ She denied taking it.They accused him to steal.→ They accused him of stealing.
Practice
- He admitted _____ the window.Options: breaking · to break · that break
Show the answer
breaking — Admit + -ing.
- The landlord refused _____ the heating.Options: to fix · fixing · for fixing
Show the answer
to fix — Refuse + to-infinitive.
- My friend advised _____ the job.Options: me to take · me taking · to me take
Show the answer
me to take — Advise + person + to-infinitive.
- Which sentence is correct?Options: She suggested going to the beach. · She suggested me to go to the beach. · She suggested to go me to the beach.
Show the answer
She suggested going to the beach. — Suggest + -ing (never suggest someone to).
- They accused the company _____ hiding the problem.
Show the answer
of — Accuse someone of + -ing.
In the app, this lesson is taught one idea at a time with the examples read aloud, then practised with questions you answer by choosing or typing. It comes back for review on later days, until you can use it without help.
More on this topic: Reported speech and reporting verbs · -ing or to? Verb patterns in English