Reporting verbs (suggest, advise, recommend, etc.)
Task 1: Read the text and choose the correct option, A, B or C.
Sonia’s father was a good student, but his dad expected him to join the family business, which was a garage. His teachers, however, suggested 1 __ to university. Luckily, they convinced his parents 2 __ him to study, and they 3 __ to pay for his university course. To thank them, he offered 4 __ at the garage during the holidays. So he started working there, but he 5 __ to doing all the worst jobs. His dad assured 6 __ learning new skills would be good for him.
1. A. to go B. that going C. that he should go
2. A. allow B. to allow C. allowing
3. A. agreed B. suggested C. insisted
4. A. work B. to work C. working
5. A. complained B. refused C. objected
6. A. him that B. that C. to him that
Task 2: Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in the box. Add any other words you may need.
1. I warned you _________________ the customers in the shop or they would leave!
2. Tim insisted _________________ the report before he went home.
3. Molly regretted _________________ rudely to the manager of the company.
4. Donald claimed _________________ a successful businessman, but he wasn’t.
5. Max admitted _________________ money from the company.
6. Nancy advised _________________ a better job, so that’s what I did.
7. We were all exhausted, but the boss refused _________________ us take a break after the meeting.
8. Her science teacher encouraged _________________ a biologist.
Task 3:
Think about things friends or people in your family have told you recently. Write 5–6 sentences using different reporting verbs. You can use the verbs in the box to help you.
be become finish let look for not ignore speak steal
admit advise agree apologise for assure claim complain
decide deny explain inform insist object to
offer persuade promise propose recommend refuse
remind suggest threaten warn
ANSWER KEY
Task 1.
1. C 2. B 3. A
4. B 5. C 6. A
Task 2.
1. not to ignore 2. on finishing
3. speaking 4. to be
5. stealing 6. me to look for
7. to let 8. her to become
Task 3. Example answers
• My teacher advised me not to fall behind with my homework.
• My cousin suggested/recommended that I should study Law.
• My mum reminded me to walk our dog.
• My brother complained that he had too much homework.
• My friend apologised for forgetting my birthday.