doubt exclaim insist observe point out predict repeat report respond etc.
"I'm not sure security is good." → He doubted that security was good."Significant progress has been achieved on key issues." → The Minister announced that significant progress had been achieved on key issues
doubt exclaim insist observe point out predict repeat report respond etc.
"People will carry around small devices that allow them to constantly stay in touch and do electronic business from wherever they are," said Bill Gates in 1999. →
doubt exclaim insist observe point out predict repeat report respond etc.
"I made the wrong choice when I joined the Navy," said my friend. →
pattern 2
"The school will be conducting a leadership training camp." → The letter informed the students that the school would be conducting a leadership training camp.
assure inform reassure remind warn
verb + object + clause
direct communication inform, warn, remind
pattern 2
assure inform reassure remind warn
"Your application is rejected," said the letter. →
pattern 2
assure inform reassure remind warn
An old lady called the crew over and said to them, "The people behind me are talking about 'hijacking'." →
pattern 2
assure inform reassure remind warn
The manager said to the employees, "No one will lose their job." →
pattern 2
assure inform reassure remind warn
"The climb is going to be dangerous," said the guide to the tourists. →
pattern 2
assure inform reassure remind warn
"The adoption of the law won't lower UK employment standards," said the Minister to the audience. →
pattern 2
assure inform reassure remind warn
"Eating in a Metro coach is prohibited," I said to the young people who were eating hamburgers. →
pattern 2
assure inform reassure remind warn
The President of the university said to the students, "Your problems will be looked into within a week." →
pattern 2
assure inform reassure remind warn
"The film is an example of science fiction," said the director to the press. →
pattern 3
agree guaranteeoffer promise refuse threaten
verb + infinitive
"I'm ready to resign." → The chairman of the board offered to resign.
intentions and promises offer, refuse, agree
pattern 3
agree guaranteeoffer promise refuse threaten
"No, I won't fix your computer," he said. →
pattern 3
agree guaranteeoffer promise refuse threaten
"Hey, I can give you a lift home after your volleyball practice today if you need one," said Harry. →
pattern 3
agree guaranteeoffer promise refuse threaten
"OK, I will take part in the project," said Eugene. →
pattern 3
agree guaranteeoffer promise refuse threaten
"I will definitely be staying at your hotel on my next visit," said the guest. →
pattern 3
agree guaranteeoffer promise refuse threaten
"If I discover you have not done your own work, I will report you to the university authorities," said the lecturer. →
pattern 3
agree guaranteeoffer promise refuse threaten
"I will finance your studies at university absolutely," said Mr Miller to Harry. →
pattern 3
agree guaranteeoffer promise refuse threaten
The professor said, "I'm ready to organize a special course to teach students how to write and present papers." →
pattern 3
agree guaranteeoffer promise refuse threaten
"OK, if you insist, I will write a new song," said the young composer. →
advise allow ask beg encourage forbid force instruct
"Always think for yourselves." → Their father encouraged them to think for themselves."Be careful with the motor-bike!" → She warned him to be careful with the motorbike.
advise allow ask beg encourage forbid force instruct
"Could you keep this a secret?" I asked my friends. →
pattern 5
admit apologize for decide on deny mention recommend regret report suggest
"Sorry, I told a lie," he said. → He apologised for telling a lie."Let's go out for lunch." → She suggested going out for lunch.
verb + - ing
reactions and ideas suggest, deny, apologise for
pattern 5
admit apologize for decide on deny mention recommend regret report suggest
"Let's invite the Prestons to dinner," said Jenny. →
pattern 5
admit apologize for decide on deny mention recommend regret report suggest
The Minister said, "I've never said this to the press." →
pattern 5
admit apologize for decide on deny mention recommend regret report suggest
"I've made up my mind to stay in school," said Michael. →
pattern 5
admit apologize for decide on deny mention recommend regret report suggest
"I'm sorry I was so emotional yesterday," said Hillary.→
pattern 5
admit apologize for decide on deny mention recommend regret report suggest
"I've broken the basic rules of the industry more than once in the last three years," said the businessman.→
pattern 5
admit apologize for decide on deny mention recommend regret report suggest
"I'm sorry I bought the car," said Eugene. "It is so unreliable." →
pattern 5
admit apologize for decide on deny mention recommend regret report suggest
"I think you should go to college," said my school teacher. →
pattern 5
admit apologize for decide on deny mention recommend regret report suggest
"Why not go to Spain for our holiday?" said Father. →
pattern 6
verb + object + preposition + -ing
"It's your fault that you aren't succeeding in sales." → The manager blamed me for not succeeding in sales.
accuse of blame for congratulate on thank for
accountability and praise accuse of, congratlate on
pattern 6
accuse of blame for congratulate on thank for
"Mr President, I am grateful to you for giving us this opportunity," said the Ambassador. →
pattern 6
accuse of blame for congratulate on thank for
"It's your fault that you have done nothing with your life," said the psychologist to Adam. →
pattern 6
accuse of blame for congratulate on thank for
"You have joined the best college in Durham. Congratulations!" said the College President. →
pattern 6
accuse of blame for congratulate on thank for
"The Congressman has taken bribes from a few businessmen," said the Prosecutor. →
pattern 6
"I'm grateful to you for taking the time to let me know how the book affected you," wrote the author to the reader. →
accuse of blame for congratulate on thank for
pattern 6
accuse of blame for congratulate on thank for
"John is a liar," said his fellow students. →
pattern 6
accuse of blame for congratulate on thank for
"Thank you for giving me a hand," said Janette to her friend. →
pattern 6
accuse of blame for congratulate on thank for
"You can't provide for the family," said Susan to her husband (use the verb 'fail'). →
quick recap of all patterns
"People will carry around small devices that allow them to constantly stay in touch and do electronic business from wherever they are," said Bill Gates in 1999. → Bill Gates predicted that people would carry around small devices that would allow them to constantly stay in touch and do electronic business from wherever they were.
A woman with a hearing disability said, "I can't hear what's happening during the city council meetings." → A woman with a hearing disability complained that she couldn't hear what was happening during the city council meetings.
"I can beat any player in Europe," said the tennis player. → The tennis player boasted that he could beat any player in Europe.
"Your application is rejected," said the letter. → The letter informed the applicant that their application was rejected.
"I will retire from political life," said the President of the country at the press-conference. → The President announced at the press conference that he would retire from political life.
"I'm not sure I'll go to Peru in December," said Paul. → Paul doubted that he would go to Peru in December.
"The government's results are not positive," the politician had to say. → The politician observed (or concluded) that the government’s results were not positive.
"About 7,000 people participated in the protest action," said the correspondent. → The correspondent reported that about 7,000 people had participated in the protest action.
"I made the wrong choice when I joined the Navy," said my friend. → My friend confessed (or admitted) that he had made the wrong choice when he joined the Navy.
"You should try and work things out if possible," said my friend. → My friend advised me to try and work things out if possible.
Quick Tips for Pattern 1
Tense Shift: Notice how "will" becomes would, "can" becomes could, and "made" (past simple) becomes had made (past perfect).The "That" Clause: In this pattern, the word "that" is optional after the verb, but it often helps make the sentence clearer in formal writing.Verb Choice: Choosing a specific verb like boasted or complained provides much more context than just using "said."
An old lady called the crew over and said to them, "The people behind me are talking about 'hijacking'." → An old lady warned the crew that the people behind her were talking about "hijacking."
The manager said to the employees, "No one will lose their job." → The manager reassured the employees that no one would lose their job.
"The climb is going to be dangerous," said the guide to the tourists. → The guide warned the tourists that the climb was going to be dangerous.
"The adoption of the law won't lower UK employment standards," said the Minister to the audience. → The Minister assured the audience that the adoption of the law wouldn't lower UK employment standards.
"Eating in a Metro coach is prohibited," I said to the young people who were eating hamburgers. → I reminded the young people that eating in a Metro coach was prohibited.
The President of the university said to the students, "Your problems will be looked into within a week." → The President of the university assured the students that their problems would be looked into within a week.
"The film is an example of science fiction," said the director to the press. → The director informed the press that the film was an example of science fiction.
"No, I won't fix your computer," he said. → He refused to fix my computer.
Quick Tips for Pattern 2
The Object is Mandatory: Unlike Pattern 1 (where you can just say "He said that..."), these verbs must have a listener. You cannot say "The letter informed that..."; it must be "The letter informed the students that..."Tone Matching: Assure/Reassure: Used when the speaker is trying to remove doubt or anxiety.Warn: Used for potential danger or negative consequences.Remind: Used for existing rules or information the listener might have forgotten
"Hey, I can give you a lift home after your volleyball practice today if you need one," said Harry. → Harry offered to give me a lift home after my volleyball practice.
"OK, I will take part in the project," said Eugene. → Eugene agreed to take part in the project.
"I will definitely be staying at your hotel on my next visit," said the guest. → The guest promised to stay at the hotel on their next visit.
"If I discover you have not done your own work, I will report you to the university authorities," said the lecturer. → The lecturer threatened to report the student to the university authorities if they hadn't done their own work.
"I will finance your studies at university absolutely," said Mr Miller to Harry. → Mr. Miller guaranteed to finance Harry's studies at university absolutely.
The professor said, "I'm ready to organize a special course to teach students how to write and present papers." → The professor offered to organize a special course to teach students how to write and present papers.
"OK, if you insist, I will write a new song," said the young composer. → The young composer agreed to write a new song.
Quick Tips for Pattern 3
Simplicity: Notice how this pattern often lets you skip the "that" clause entirely, making the sentence much more punchy and direct.Negative Infinitive: If you ever need to report a promise not to do something, you simply put "not" before the infinitive (e.g., He promised not to tell anyone).
"Let's invite the Prestons to dinner," said Jenny. → Jenny suggested inviting the Prestons to dinner.
"Why not go to Spain for our holiday?" said Father. → Father suggested going to Spain for their holiday.
Quick Tips for Pattern 3
Simplicity: Notice how this pattern often lets you skip the "that" clause entirely, making the sentence much more punchy and direct.Negative Infinitive: If you ever need to report a promise not to do something, you simply put "not" before the infinitive (e.g., He promised not to tell anyone).
"Mr President, I am grateful to you for giving us this opportunity," said the Ambassador. → The Ambassador thanked the President for giving them that opportunity.
"You can't provide for the family," said Susan to her husband (use the verb 'fail'). → Susan accused her husband of failing to provide for the family.
Quick Tips for Pattern 3
Simplicity: Notice how this pattern often lets you skip the "that" clause entirely, making the sentence much more punchy and direct.Negative Infinitive: If you ever need to report a promise not to do something, you simply put "not" before the infinitive (e.g., He promised not to tell anyone).
"Could you keep this a secret?" I asked my friends. → I asked my friends to keep that a secret.
Quick Tips for Pattern 3
Simplicity: Notice how this pattern often lets you skip the "that" clause entirely, making the sentence much more punchy and direct.Negative Infinitive: If you ever need to report a promise not to do something, you simply put "not" before the infinitive (e.g., He promised not to tell anyone).
"Don't forget to share the information you find," said the instructor. → The instructor reminded us to share the information we find.
"Would you like to come to the theatre with me tonight?" he said. → He invited me to come to the theatre with him that tonight.
"Please, please never speak to me of that," said Anna to her friend. → Anna begged her friend never to speak to her of that.
"Never ask me that question again," he said to his children. → He ordered (or forbade) his children never to ask him that question again.
"All right, you can stay in my room," said Tim’s elder sister. → Tim's elder sister allowed him to stay in her room.
The officer said to the soldiers, "Fire a warning shot." → The officer ordered the soldiers to fire a warning shot.
The Minister said, "I've never said this to the press." → The Minister denied ever saying that to the press.
"I've made up my mind to stay in school," said Michael.→ Michael decided on staying in school.
"I'm sorry I was so emotional yesterday," said Hillary.→ Hillary apologised for being so emotional the day before.
"I've broken the basic rules of the industry more than once in the last three years," said the businessman.→ The businessman admitted breaking the basic rules of the industry more than once in the last three years.
"I'm sorry I bought the car," said Eugene. "It is so unreliable." → Eugene regretted buying the car because it was so unreliable.
"I think you should go to college," said my school teacher. → My school teacher recommended going to college.
"It's your fault that you have done nothing with your life," said the psychologist to Adam. → The psychologist blamed Adam for doing nothing with his life.
"You have joined the best college in Durham. Congratulations!" said the College President. → The College President congratulated the student on joining the best college in Durham.
"The Congressman has taken bribes from a few businessmen," said the Prosecutor. → The Prosecutor accused the Congressman of taking bribes from a few businessmen.
"I'm grateful to you for taking the time to let me know how the book affected you," wrote the author to the reader. → The author thanked the reader for taking the time to let them know how the book had affected them.
"John is a liar," said his fellow students. → His fellow students accused John of being a liar.
"Thank you for giving me a hand," said Janette to her friend. → Janette thanked her friend for giving her a hand.
reported speech
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Transcript
GRAMMAR
REPORTED SPEECH
Flip
pattern 1
doubt exclaim insist observe point out predict repeat report respond etc.
"I'm not sure security is good." → He doubted that security was good."Significant progress has been achieved on key issues." → The Minister announced that significant progress had been achieved on key issues
admit agree announce believe boast comment complain conclude confess decide
verb + clause
general reporting predict, believe, doubt
pattern 1
admit agree announce believe boast comment complain conclude confess decide
doubt exclaim insist observe point out predict repeat report respond etc.
"People will carry around small devices that allow them to constantly stay in touch and do electronic business from wherever they are," said Bill Gates in 1999. →
pattern 1
admit agree announce believe boast comment complain conclude confess decide
doubt exclaim insist observe point out predict repeat report respond etc.
"I can beat any player in Europe," said the tennis player. →
pattern 1
admit agree announce believe boast comment complain conclude confess decide
doubt exclaim insist observe point out predict repeat report respond etc.
"I will retire from political life," said the President of the country at the press-conference. →
pattern 1
admit agree announce believe boast comment complain conclude confess decide
doubt exclaim insist observe point out predict repeat report respond etc.
A woman with a hearing disability said, "I can't hear what's happening during the city council meetings." →
pattern 1
admit agree announce believe boast comment complain conclude confess decide
doubt exclaim insist observe point out predict repeat report respond etc.
"I'm not sure I'll go to Peru in December," said Paul. →
pattern 1
admit agree announce believe boast comment complain conclude confess decide
doubt exclaim insist observe point out predict repeat report respond etc.
"The government's results are not positive," the politician had to say. →
pattern 1
admit agree announce believe boast comment complain conclude confess decide
doubt exclaim insist observe point out predict repeat report respond etc.
"About 7,000 people participated in the protest action," said the correspondent. →
pattern 1
admit agree announce believe boast comment complain conclude confess decide
doubt exclaim insist observe point out predict repeat report respond etc.
"I made the wrong choice when I joined the Navy," said my friend. →
pattern 2
"The school will be conducting a leadership training camp." → The letter informed the students that the school would be conducting a leadership training camp.
assure inform reassure remind warn
verb + object + clause
direct communication inform, warn, remind
pattern 2
assure inform reassure remind warn
"Your application is rejected," said the letter. →
pattern 2
assure inform reassure remind warn
An old lady called the crew over and said to them, "The people behind me are talking about 'hijacking'." →
pattern 2
assure inform reassure remind warn
The manager said to the employees, "No one will lose their job." →
pattern 2
assure inform reassure remind warn
"The climb is going to be dangerous," said the guide to the tourists. →
pattern 2
assure inform reassure remind warn
"The adoption of the law won't lower UK employment standards," said the Minister to the audience. →
pattern 2
assure inform reassure remind warn
"Eating in a Metro coach is prohibited," I said to the young people who were eating hamburgers. →
pattern 2
assure inform reassure remind warn
The President of the university said to the students, "Your problems will be looked into within a week." →
pattern 2
assure inform reassure remind warn
"The film is an example of science fiction," said the director to the press. →
pattern 3
agree guaranteeoffer promise refuse threaten
verb + infinitive
"I'm ready to resign." → The chairman of the board offered to resign.
intentions and promises offer, refuse, agree
pattern 3
agree guaranteeoffer promise refuse threaten
"No, I won't fix your computer," he said. →
pattern 3
agree guaranteeoffer promise refuse threaten
"Hey, I can give you a lift home after your volleyball practice today if you need one," said Harry. →
pattern 3
agree guaranteeoffer promise refuse threaten
"OK, I will take part in the project," said Eugene. →
pattern 3
agree guaranteeoffer promise refuse threaten
"I will definitely be staying at your hotel on my next visit," said the guest. →
pattern 3
agree guaranteeoffer promise refuse threaten
"If I discover you have not done your own work, I will report you to the university authorities," said the lecturer. →
pattern 3
agree guaranteeoffer promise refuse threaten
"I will finance your studies at university absolutely," said Mr Miller to Harry. →
pattern 3
agree guaranteeoffer promise refuse threaten
The professor said, "I'm ready to organize a special course to teach students how to write and present papers." →
pattern 3
agree guaranteeoffer promise refuse threaten
"OK, if you insist, I will write a new song," said the young composer. →
pattern 4
invite permit persuade remind request tell urge warn
advise allow ask beg encourage forbid force instruct
"Always think for yourselves." → Their father encouraged them to think for themselves."Be careful with the motor-bike!" → She warned him to be careful with the motorbike.
verb + object + infinitive
influencing others order, invite, encourage
pattern 4
invite permit persuade remind request tell urge warn
advise allow ask beg encourage forbid force instruct
"You should try and work things out if possible," said my friend. →
pattern 4
invite permit persuade remind request tell urge warn
advise allow ask beg encourage forbid force instruct
"Don't forget to share the information you find," said the instructor. →
pattern 4
invite permit persuade remind request tell urge warn
advise allow ask beg encourage forbid force instruct
"Would you like to come to the theatre with me tonight?" he said. →
pattern 4
invite permit persuade remind request tell urge warn
advise allow ask beg encourage forbid force instruct
"Please, please never speak to me of that," said Anna to her friend. →
pattern 4
invite permit persuade remind request tell urge warn
advise allow ask beg encourage forbid force instruct
"Never ask me that question again," he said to his children. →
pattern 4
invite permit persuade remind request tell urge warn
advise allow ask beg encourage forbid force instruct
"All right, you can stay in my room," said Tim’s elder sister. →
pattern 4
invite permit persuade remind request tell urge warn
advise allow ask beg encourage forbid force instruct
The officer said to the soldiers, "Fire a warning shot." →
pattern 4
invite permit persuade remind request tell urge warn
advise allow ask beg encourage forbid force instruct
"Could you keep this a secret?" I asked my friends. →
pattern 5
admit apologize for decide on deny mention recommend regret report suggest
"Sorry, I told a lie," he said. → He apologised for telling a lie."Let's go out for lunch." → She suggested going out for lunch.
verb + - ing
reactions and ideas suggest, deny, apologise for
pattern 5
admit apologize for decide on deny mention recommend regret report suggest
"Let's invite the Prestons to dinner," said Jenny. →
pattern 5
admit apologize for decide on deny mention recommend regret report suggest
The Minister said, "I've never said this to the press." →
pattern 5
admit apologize for decide on deny mention recommend regret report suggest
"I've made up my mind to stay in school," said Michael. →
pattern 5
admit apologize for decide on deny mention recommend regret report suggest
"I'm sorry I was so emotional yesterday," said Hillary.→
pattern 5
admit apologize for decide on deny mention recommend regret report suggest
"I've broken the basic rules of the industry more than once in the last three years," said the businessman.→
pattern 5
admit apologize for decide on deny mention recommend regret report suggest
"I'm sorry I bought the car," said Eugene. "It is so unreliable." →
pattern 5
admit apologize for decide on deny mention recommend regret report suggest
"I think you should go to college," said my school teacher. →
pattern 5
admit apologize for decide on deny mention recommend regret report suggest
"Why not go to Spain for our holiday?" said Father. →
pattern 6
verb + object + preposition + -ing
"It's your fault that you aren't succeeding in sales." → The manager blamed me for not succeeding in sales.
accuse of blame for congratulate on thank for
accountability and praise accuse of, congratlate on
pattern 6
accuse of blame for congratulate on thank for
"Mr President, I am grateful to you for giving us this opportunity," said the Ambassador. →
pattern 6
accuse of blame for congratulate on thank for
"It's your fault that you have done nothing with your life," said the psychologist to Adam. →
pattern 6
accuse of blame for congratulate on thank for
"You have joined the best college in Durham. Congratulations!" said the College President. →
pattern 6
accuse of blame for congratulate on thank for
"The Congressman has taken bribes from a few businessmen," said the Prosecutor. →
pattern 6
"I'm grateful to you for taking the time to let me know how the book affected you," wrote the author to the reader. →
accuse of blame for congratulate on thank for
pattern 6
accuse of blame for congratulate on thank for
"John is a liar," said his fellow students. →
pattern 6
accuse of blame for congratulate on thank for
"Thank you for giving me a hand," said Janette to her friend. →
pattern 6
accuse of blame for congratulate on thank for
"You can't provide for the family," said Susan to her husband (use the verb 'fail'). →
quick recap of all patterns
"People will carry around small devices that allow them to constantly stay in touch and do electronic business from wherever they are," said Bill Gates in 1999. → Bill Gates predicted that people would carry around small devices that would allow them to constantly stay in touch and do electronic business from wherever they were.
A woman with a hearing disability said, "I can't hear what's happening during the city council meetings." → A woman with a hearing disability complained that she couldn't hear what was happening during the city council meetings.
"I can beat any player in Europe," said the tennis player. → The tennis player boasted that he could beat any player in Europe.
"Your application is rejected," said the letter. → The letter informed the applicant that their application was rejected.
"I will retire from political life," said the President of the country at the press-conference. → The President announced at the press conference that he would retire from political life.
"I'm not sure I'll go to Peru in December," said Paul. → Paul doubted that he would go to Peru in December.
"The government's results are not positive," the politician had to say. → The politician observed (or concluded) that the government’s results were not positive.
"About 7,000 people participated in the protest action," said the correspondent. → The correspondent reported that about 7,000 people had participated in the protest action.
"I made the wrong choice when I joined the Navy," said my friend. → My friend confessed (or admitted) that he had made the wrong choice when he joined the Navy.
"You should try and work things out if possible," said my friend. → My friend advised me to try and work things out if possible.
Quick Tips for Pattern 1
Tense Shift: Notice how "will" becomes would, "can" becomes could, and "made" (past simple) becomes had made (past perfect).The "That" Clause: In this pattern, the word "that" is optional after the verb, but it often helps make the sentence clearer in formal writing.Verb Choice: Choosing a specific verb like boasted or complained provides much more context than just using "said."
An old lady called the crew over and said to them, "The people behind me are talking about 'hijacking'." → An old lady warned the crew that the people behind her were talking about "hijacking."
The manager said to the employees, "No one will lose their job." → The manager reassured the employees that no one would lose their job.
"The climb is going to be dangerous," said the guide to the tourists. → The guide warned the tourists that the climb was going to be dangerous.
"The adoption of the law won't lower UK employment standards," said the Minister to the audience. → The Minister assured the audience that the adoption of the law wouldn't lower UK employment standards.
"Eating in a Metro coach is prohibited," I said to the young people who were eating hamburgers. → I reminded the young people that eating in a Metro coach was prohibited.
The President of the university said to the students, "Your problems will be looked into within a week." → The President of the university assured the students that their problems would be looked into within a week.
"The film is an example of science fiction," said the director to the press. → The director informed the press that the film was an example of science fiction.
"No, I won't fix your computer," he said. → He refused to fix my computer.
Quick Tips for Pattern 2
The Object is Mandatory: Unlike Pattern 1 (where you can just say "He said that..."), these verbs must have a listener. You cannot say "The letter informed that..."; it must be "The letter informed the students that..."Tone Matching: Assure/Reassure: Used when the speaker is trying to remove doubt or anxiety.Warn: Used for potential danger or negative consequences.Remind: Used for existing rules or information the listener might have forgotten
"Hey, I can give you a lift home after your volleyball practice today if you need one," said Harry. → Harry offered to give me a lift home after my volleyball practice.
"OK, I will take part in the project," said Eugene. → Eugene agreed to take part in the project.
"I will definitely be staying at your hotel on my next visit," said the guest. → The guest promised to stay at the hotel on their next visit.
"If I discover you have not done your own work, I will report you to the university authorities," said the lecturer. → The lecturer threatened to report the student to the university authorities if they hadn't done their own work.
"I will finance your studies at university absolutely," said Mr Miller to Harry. → Mr. Miller guaranteed to finance Harry's studies at university absolutely.
The professor said, "I'm ready to organize a special course to teach students how to write and present papers." → The professor offered to organize a special course to teach students how to write and present papers.
"OK, if you insist, I will write a new song," said the young composer. → The young composer agreed to write a new song.
Quick Tips for Pattern 3
Simplicity: Notice how this pattern often lets you skip the "that" clause entirely, making the sentence much more punchy and direct.Negative Infinitive: If you ever need to report a promise not to do something, you simply put "not" before the infinitive (e.g., He promised not to tell anyone).
"Let's invite the Prestons to dinner," said Jenny. → Jenny suggested inviting the Prestons to dinner.
"Why not go to Spain for our holiday?" said Father. → Father suggested going to Spain for their holiday.
Quick Tips for Pattern 3
Simplicity: Notice how this pattern often lets you skip the "that" clause entirely, making the sentence much more punchy and direct.Negative Infinitive: If you ever need to report a promise not to do something, you simply put "not" before the infinitive (e.g., He promised not to tell anyone).
"Mr President, I am grateful to you for giving us this opportunity," said the Ambassador. → The Ambassador thanked the President for giving them that opportunity.
"You can't provide for the family," said Susan to her husband (use the verb 'fail'). → Susan accused her husband of failing to provide for the family.
Quick Tips for Pattern 3
Simplicity: Notice how this pattern often lets you skip the "that" clause entirely, making the sentence much more punchy and direct.Negative Infinitive: If you ever need to report a promise not to do something, you simply put "not" before the infinitive (e.g., He promised not to tell anyone).
"Could you keep this a secret?" I asked my friends. → I asked my friends to keep that a secret.
Quick Tips for Pattern 3
Simplicity: Notice how this pattern often lets you skip the "that" clause entirely, making the sentence much more punchy and direct.Negative Infinitive: If you ever need to report a promise not to do something, you simply put "not" before the infinitive (e.g., He promised not to tell anyone).
"Don't forget to share the information you find," said the instructor. → The instructor reminded us to share the information we find.
"Would you like to come to the theatre with me tonight?" he said. → He invited me to come to the theatre with him that tonight.
"Please, please never speak to me of that," said Anna to her friend. → Anna begged her friend never to speak to her of that.
"Never ask me that question again," he said to his children. → He ordered (or forbade) his children never to ask him that question again.
"All right, you can stay in my room," said Tim’s elder sister. → Tim's elder sister allowed him to stay in her room.
The officer said to the soldiers, "Fire a warning shot." → The officer ordered the soldiers to fire a warning shot.
The Minister said, "I've never said this to the press." → The Minister denied ever saying that to the press.
"I've made up my mind to stay in school," said Michael.→ Michael decided on staying in school.
"I'm sorry I was so emotional yesterday," said Hillary.→ Hillary apologised for being so emotional the day before.
"I've broken the basic rules of the industry more than once in the last three years," said the businessman.→ The businessman admitted breaking the basic rules of the industry more than once in the last three years.
"I'm sorry I bought the car," said Eugene. "It is so unreliable." → Eugene regretted buying the car because it was so unreliable.
"I think you should go to college," said my school teacher. → My school teacher recommended going to college.
"It's your fault that you have done nothing with your life," said the psychologist to Adam. → The psychologist blamed Adam for doing nothing with his life.
"You have joined the best college in Durham. Congratulations!" said the College President. → The College President congratulated the student on joining the best college in Durham.
"The Congressman has taken bribes from a few businessmen," said the Prosecutor. → The Prosecutor accused the Congressman of taking bribes from a few businessmen.
"I'm grateful to you for taking the time to let me know how the book affected you," wrote the author to the reader. → The author thanked the reader for taking the time to let them know how the book had affected them.
"John is a liar," said his fellow students. → His fellow students accused John of being a liar.
"Thank you for giving me a hand," said Janette to her friend. → Janette thanked her friend for giving her a hand.