Reporting verbs

1. Reporting verbs are verbs that introduce a report, an idea or a summary 
2. There are two basic patterns: some reporting verbs belong to one pattern, some to the other, and some to both

verb + clause

• He recommends we buy a new TV
• Some common verbs that belong to this category are: advise, beg, demand, insist, prefer, propose, recommend, request, suggest

verb + that + clause

• The company claims that it is not responsible for the pollution in the river 
• Some common verbs that belong to this category are: add, admit, agree, answer, argue, claim, complain, confirm, consider, deny, doubt, mention, observe, propose, remember, repeat, reply, say, suggest, tell, think, understand

both

• I promise you I'll do it / I promise you that I'll do it
• Some common verbs that belong to this category are: decide, expect, guarantee, hope, promise, swear, threaten