Reporting Verbs Followed by Gerunds in English

Learning to use verbs that express communication or thought, particularly those followed by gerunds, can greatly improve your English fluency and precision. Recognizing these grammatical patterns allows you to convey your ideas more smoothly and accurately in both speech and writing. For example, verbs like suggest, recommend, and consider are typically followed by gerunds, as in suggesting going to a movie or considering taking a new job. Mastering these structures not only enhances your language skills but also helps you communicate more naturally and effectively in various contexts.

Role of gerunds in reported speech

In English, gerunds—verbs ending in -ing that function as nouns—often follow certain reporting verbs to express reported actions, feelings, or statements. This structure is especially common when the original statement or action involved a verb in the present participle or a general activity, rather than a specific completed action. Using gerunds after reporting verbs helps to capture the ongoing or habitual nature of what was said or done.

How gerunds function after reporting verbs

Some verbs naturally take a gerund as their object when relaying what someone said, admitted, or suggested. This pattern is useful for emphasizing the action or idea rather than quoting directly. For example:

• She admitted cheating on the test.
• They denied breaking the window.
• He suggested meeting earlier.
• The manager recommended taking a break.

Common reporting verbs followed by gerunds

Here are some typical verbs that require a gerund in indirect speech:

• admit → She admitted making a mistake in the final paragraph.
• deny → He denied sharing the password with anyone.
• recommend → The trainer recommended taking short breaks during long study sessions.
• suggest → She suggested starting with the easiest questions first.
• mention → He mentioned meeting the author at a conference.
• advise → The doctor advised drinking more water and sleeping earlier.
• consider → They are considering moving the deadline to next week.
• imagine → I can’t imagine working without internet access.
• report → Witnesses reported hearing a loud bang just before midnight.
• avoid → She avoids checking emails first thing in the morning.
• appreciate → I appreciate having clear feedback on my writing.
• discuss → They discussed changing the schedule for the next session.
• enjoy → He enjoys learning new idioms through podcasts.
• practice → She practiced pronouncing the tricky sounds for an hour.
• risk → You risk losing points if you rush the final answer.
• postpone → They postponed signing the agreement until Monday.
• finish → I finished editing the report before lunch.
• keep (on) → He kept (on) asking the same question again and again.

Comparing gerunds and infinitives after reporting verbs

Some verbs can take either a gerund or an infinitive, but the meaning may change. Others strictly require a gerund. The table below shows examples of how gerunds fit into reported speech, compared to verbs that do not follow this pattern:

Why use gerunds in indirect statements?

Choosing a gerund after a reporting verb provides a smooth, concise way to summarize actions or ideas. It avoids the need for direct quotations and helps keep reported speech natural. This structure is especially handy for describing general habits, repeated actions, or when the speaker’s focus is more on the activity than on the specific details of when or how it was done.

• He confessed stealing the money. ✅
• She avoided answering the question. ✅
• They recommended starting early. ✅
• We discussed moving abroad. ✅

In summary, using gerunds after certain reporting verbs allows English speakers to efficiently communicate indirect statements, maintain grammatical accuracy, and convey nuance about the nature of the reported action.

Common reporting verbs followed by gerunds

Certain verbs used to report speech, thoughts, or actions are often followed by a gerund (the -ing form of a verb). These verbs typically describe acts of communication, opinion, or emotional response, and they require the next verb to appear as a gerund rather than an infinitive. Understanding which verbs take gerunds helps speakers avoid common grammatical mistakes and sound more natural in English.

How these verbs work in context

These verbs are followed by a gerund phrase that often acts as the object of the verb. For example:

• She admitted cheating on the test.
• They denied breaking the window.
• I recommend trying the new restaurant.
• He suggested leaving early.
• The manager mentioned hiring more staff.

Notice that after each reporting verb, the next verb appears in the -ing form.

Overview: reporting verb + gerund pattern

Below is a table that summarizes typical reporting verbs used with gerunds, showing sample sentences for each to clarify usage.

Learning these patterns will help you use reporting verbs with gerunds correctly and fluently in both writing and conversation.

Meaning conveyed by gerund patterns

When reporting verbs are followed by gerunds, they often express a range of attitudes, levels of certainty, or emotional responses toward previous actions or events. The use of a gerund after certain verbs helps to highlight the action as a general activity, a completed event, or an ongoing process. This pattern can indicate regret, memory, denial, or even a sense of accomplishment, depending on the verb and the context.

Common nuances associated with gerund patterns

• Regret or apology: Verbs like "admit," "regret," and "apologize for" followed by gerunds show that the speaker acknowledges an action and often feels sorry about it.
• Confession or acknowledgment: "Confess to," "admit," or "acknowledge" + gerund suggest the speaker accepts responsibility for the action.
• Denial: "Deny" + gerund is used to reject responsibility for a specific act.
• Recollection: "Remember," "recall," and "mention" + gerund focus on bringing to mind a past event or action.
• Suggestion or recommendation: "Recommend," "suggest," and "advise" + gerund indicate giving advice or making proposals about actions.
• Accusation: "Accuse (someone) of" + gerund implies blaming someone for an action.
• Apology: "Apologize for" + gerund expresses being sorry for a specific behavior.
• Insistence: "Insist on" + gerund emphasizes the importance or necessity of an action.
• Objecting or opposing: "Object to" or "oppose" + gerund signal disagreement with an action.
• Boasting: "Boast about" + gerund highlights pride in an accomplishment.
• Complaining: "Complain about" + gerund indicates dissatisfaction regarding an activity.
• Applauding: "Congratulate (someone) on" + gerund shows praise for an achievement.
• Warning: "Warn (someone) against" + gerund functions as a caution about possible negative outcomes.
• Blaming: "Blame (someone) for" + gerund assigns responsibility for something negative.
• Excusing: "Excuse (someone) for" + gerund lessens the perceived fault of the action.

Comparing reporting verbs with gerund patterns

Some verbs change their meaning depending on whether they are followed by a gerund or an infinitive. When paired with gerunds, the focus is often on prior, real experiences or actions. This distinction gives English speakers subtle ways to convey shades of meaning in reported speech.

In summary, choosing a reporting verb followed by a gerund not only reports an action but also shades the meaning with the speaker’s attitude, emotion, or evaluation of that action. This nuanced use of gerund patterns helps English speakers express themselves with greater precision.

Contrast with infinitive constructions

Some reporting verbs in English require a gerund form after them, while others take an infinitive. Understanding when to use each form can help avoid common errors and make your speech or writing more natural. The choice between a gerund and an infinitive can sometimes change the meaning of a sentence, or simply reflect standard usage with certain verbs.

While verbs like admit, deny, or suggest are typically followed by gerunds (He admitted stealing), others such as agree, promise, or refuse normally require the infinitive (She promised to help). Some reporting verbs can be followed by either form, but the meaning may shift slightly depending on the construction.

Typical patterns: gerund vs. infinitive

Here's a look at some common reporting verbs and their preferred complements:

• Admit: takes a gerund (admitted cheating)
• Deny: takes a gerund (denied knowing)
• Suggest: takes a gerund (suggested leaving early)
• Advise: can be followed by a gerund or an infinitive with an object (advised going / advised him to go)
• Agree: takes an infinitive (agreed to help)
• Promise: takes an infinitive (promised to arrive)
• Refuse: takes an infinitive (refused to cooperate)
• Recommend: takes a gerund (recommended seeing)
• Offer: takes an infinitive (offered to assist)
• Threaten: takes an infinitive (threatened to call)
• Report: takes a gerund (reported hearing)
• Advise: takes a gerund or an infinitive with an object
• Encourage: takes an infinitive with an object (encouraged her to try)
• Insist: takes a gerund (insisted on paying)
• Remind: takes an infinitive with an object (reminded me to call)

Side-by-side comparison

Key takeaways

• Some verbs are strictly paired with gerunds, others with infinitives.
• A few verbs allow both forms, often with a slight change in meaning or emphasis.
• When in doubt, check a reliable guide or dictionary for the correct pattern.

Being aware of these distinctions helps ensure both accuracy and clarity when using reporting verbs in English.

Formality and usage preferences

Choosing the right reporting verb followed by a gerund often depends on the level of formality and the context in which you’re communicating. Some verbs sound more natural in spoken English or casual writing, while others fit better in academic, professional, or official contexts. Understanding these nuances helps you select the most appropriate expression for your audience and purpose.

Register: Formal vs. Informal Settings

In formal writing, such as academic essays, reports, or business correspondence, certain reporting verbs are preferred because they convey precision and objectivity. In contrast, everyday conversation or informal writing might favor verbs that are direct and familiar. For example, “admit” or “deny” are common in both registers, but “confess to” and “own up to” are typically more conversational.

• Formal or neutral: admit, deny, recommend, suggest, propose, anticipate, acknowledge, regret, report, advise
• Informal: own up to, fess up to, put off, keep (on), end up

Common Usage Patterns

Some reporting verbs almost always take a gerund, while others can alternate with infinitive structures (with a change in meaning or grammar). When using a gerund, the action is treated as a general activity or state, often making the sentence less direct and somewhat softer in tone.

Considerations for Choosing Verbs

• Audience: Match the verb choice to your listeners or readers. Use more formal verbs in academic or professional settings.
• Purpose: For official statements, select precise verbs like “report” or “acknowledge.” In storytelling, “admit” or “confess to” might be more engaging.
• Tone: To soften statements, gerund structures often sound less confrontational: “He denied knowing about it” vs. “He denied that he knew about it.”
• Variety: Using a range of reporting verbs improves writing style and avoids repetition.

In summary, the choice of reporting verb and gerund structure is influenced by register, context, and the desired tone. Becoming familiar with these preferences will help you communicate more naturally and effectively, whether you’re writing formally or speaking informally.

Frequent learner mistakes

Learners frequently struggle with reporting verbs followed by gerunds due to confusion over which verbs require a gerund and which take an infinitive. This leads to errors in both spoken and written English. Another common issue is directly translating from a first language, which may use different structures and result in ungrammatical sentences.

Mixing up gerunds and infinitives

One of the most persistent problems is using the infinitive form instead of a gerund after certain reporting verbs. For example, students may write “She denied to go” instead of the correct “She denied going.” This confusion often arises with verbs that look similar but take different structures.

Incorrect verb patterns

Mistakes also happen when learners misremember which verbs are followed by gerunds. Some reporting verbs only accept gerunds, while others may take infinitives or even both, depending on the meaning. Failing to memorize these patterns can result in awkward or incorrect constructions.

Omitting the gerund or using the base verb

Sometimes, learners forget to use any verb form after a reporting verb, or they use the base form. For instance, “She suggested we go” can be correct in some contexts, but “She suggested go” is not. The gerund is necessary to complete the structure.

• Using “He admitted cheat” instead of “He admitted cheating.”
• Writing “They recommended try” instead of “They recommended trying.”

Confusion with similar verbs

Students often mix up verbs with similar meanings but different patterns. For example, “advise” can be followed by an object and infinitive (“He advised me to wait”) but not by a gerund alone, while “suggest” is only followed by a gerund or that-clause.

First language interference

Direct translation from a learner’s native language may lead to the wrong verb form. Many languages don’t use gerunds in the same way as English, which increases the likelihood of structural mistakes. To overcome these issues, it’s important to memorize common reporting verbs that require gerunds and practice using them in context. Reviewing example sentences and paying attention to verb patterns will help build confidence and accuracy.

Homework: Reporting verbs with gerunds

Use the following exercises to practice reporting verbs that are followed by gerunds. Focus on choosing the correct verb pattern and avoiding common learner mistakes discussed above.

Task 1: Choose the correct form

Complete each sentence with the correct gerund form.

1. She denied ______ (break) the window.
2. They suggested ______ (start) earlier.
3. He admitted ______ (copy) the file without permission.
4. We discussed ______ (move) to another office.
5. She avoided ______ (answer) the question.
6. The manager recommended ______ (take) a short break.
7. He mentioned ______ (see) the client yesterday.
8. They postponed ______ (sign) the contract.
9. I appreciate ______ (have) clear instructions.
10. She finished ______ (write) the summary.

Task 2: Correct the mistakes

Each sentence contains an error with a reporting verb. Rewrite it correctly.

1. She denied to know anything about the plan.
2. They suggested to leave early.
3. He admitted to steal the document.
4. We discussed to change the schedule.
5. I recommend to try this method.
6. She mentioned to meet him before.
7. He avoided to answer my email.
8. They finished to prepare the report.
9. We appreciated to be invited.
10. She postponed to make a decision.