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Interactive Grammar: Introduction to Reporting Verbs quiz

Learn the most common reporting verbs — say, tell, ask, explain, answer — and their grammatical patterns.

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Grammar Explanation · Authentic Examples · Practice Questions

Lesson progressNot started
Duration
~40 min
Questions
27
Level
Intermediate

Overview

Reporting verbs introduce what someone said. The most basic are 'say' (without a person object) and 'tell' (with a person object). Other common verbs include: ask, explain, suggest, advise, warn, promise, agree, deny, offer, refuse, and claim. Each has its own grammatical pattern.

Core Reporting Verbs

  • sayHe said that he was tired. (no person after)
  • tellShe told me that she was leaving. (person required)
  • askHe asked if I needed help.
  • explainShe explained how the system worked.

Pattern Types

  • verb + thatHe said / admitted / claimed that…
  • verb + obj + thatShe told / reminded me that…
  • verb + to-infHe agreed / refused / offered to help.
  • verb + obj + toShe asked / told / warned me to leave.

Verb Choice Matters

  • Choosing the right reporting verb adds precision and avoids repetition of 'said'.
  • NeutralHe said there was a problem.
  • PreciseHe admitted there was a problem.
  • PreciseHe insisted there was a problem.

When to use

Essays

The researcher argued that the data was inconclusive.

News

The minister denied that any mistakes had been made.

Conversation

She admitted she had forgotten the meeting.

Business

He confirmed that the invoice had been received.

Introduction to Reporting Verbs — Multiple Choice

Choose the correct reporting verb.

Multiple Choice10 questionsB1 — Intermediate~15 min
1She that she was leaving. (No person required)
2He me that the meeting was cancelled.
3She how the machine worked.
4He if I needed any help.
5She that she had nothing to do with it.
6He to help me move the furniture.
7She having taken the money.
8He that he would be there on time.
9She to lend me her car.
10He me the truth about what had happened.
Progress0 of 10 answered

Introduction to Reporting Verbs — Fill in the Blanks

Complete each sentence with the correct reporting verb.

Fill in the Blanks9 questionsB1 — Intermediate~14 min
1Shesaid (no person object)that she was running late.
2Hetold (needs a person object)me the news yesterday.
3Sheaskedif I was free on Friday.
4Heexplainedhow the printer worked.
5Shesuggestedgoing for a walk.
6The doctoradvisedhim to rest.
7Hewarnedus not to be late.
8Shepromisedto call him back.
9Hedeniedbreaking the window.
Progress0 of 9 answered

Introduction to Reporting Verbs — Transform

Report each quote using the reporting verb given.

Transform8 questionsB1 — Intermediate~12 min

1'I'm going home,' she said. → → Report using 'say'

2'The train is late,' he said to me. → → Report using 'tell'

3'Are you coming?' she said. → → Report using 'ask'

4'Let's meet at six,' he said. → → Report using 'suggest'

5'I didn't take the money,' she said. → → Report using 'deny'

6'I'll pay you back,' he said. → → Report using 'promise'

7'Be careful on the ice,' she said. → → Report using 'warn'

8'I'll carry your bags,' he said. → → Report using 'offer'

Progress0 of 8 answered

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this lesson on introduction to Reporting Verbs cover?

Learn the most common reporting verbs — say, tell, ask, explain, answer — and their grammatical patterns.

Which CEFR level is this lesson designed for?

This lesson is designed for Intermediate (B1) learners and forms part of the Direct and Indirect Speech section on Grammartier.

What is the best approach for studying introduction to Reporting Verbs?

Start with the definition above, then work through the examples to see how introduction to Reporting Verbs behaves in context. Since this is a Intermediate (B1) topic within direct and indirect speech, focus on using the structure accurately in context and noticing the mistakes learners typically make with it — this is the level where small errors start to matter for fluency. Finish with the quiz below to check what's actually sticking.

How does introduction to Reporting Verbs relate to the rest of direct and indirect speech?

Introduction to Reporting Verbs is one of the Intermediate–level topics grouped under Direct and Indirect Speech on Grammartier. Understanding it well makes the related lessons in the same category easier to follow — use the related-lessons links on this page to keep building on it once you've completed this quiz.

Your Grammar Learning Path

Follow the CEFR progression for this topic cluster.

  1. B1
    Interactive Grammar: Common Tense Errors in Reported Speech quiz
  2. B1
    Interactive Grammar: Demonstrative Changes in Reported Speech quiz
  3. B1
    Interactive Grammar: Introduction to Reporting Verbs quizYou are here
  4. B1
    Interactive Grammar: Place Changes in Reported Speech quiz
  5. B1
    Interactive Grammar: Pronoun Changes in Reported Speech quiz
  6. B1
    Interactive Grammar: Reported Speech in Conversations quiz
  7. B1
    Interactive Grammar: Reporting Advice quiz

Before You Start

Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first.

Related Concepts

Deepen your grammar knowledge with these related B1 topics.

Continue Your Grammar Journey

Ready for the next step? These lessons build on what you've learned.

Avoid common mistakes: Common Mistakes in Reported Speech →See where this fits in the full roadmap →

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