subject + suggest + -ingUse this when the idea is general and no person comes directly after suggest.
Reporting Verbs — Advanced
B1Some reporting verbs need fixed patterns: suggest + -ing/that, warn + object + to, admit/deny + -ing, accuse + object + of + -ing.
What you'll learn
- Use suggest with -ing or a that-clause.
- Use warn with object + to-infinitive.
- Use admit and deny with -ing forms.
- Use accuse with object + of + -ing.
- Match each reporting verb to its fixed pattern.
Structure
subject + suggest + that + clauseUse this when you want to report the full idea as a clause.
subject + warn + object + to-infinitivePut the person after warn, then use to + base verb.
subject + admit/deny + -ingAfter admit and deny, use an -ing form, not to + verb.
subject + accuse + object + of + -ingKeep the object and of before the -ing form.
Build a sentence
Reporting verb
Pattern
Mariasuggestedwaiting
Maria suggested waiting outside.
With suggest, use -ing or that + clause. No person directly after the verb.
When to use
Ideas and advice
Use suggest to report an idea or possible plan. Tom suggested taking a taxi. Maria suggested that we wait.
Warnings
Use warn when someone tells another person about danger or a possible problem. The guide warned us to stay close.
Accepting or rejecting
Use admit to accept that something is true, and deny to say it is not true. Anna admitted copying the file. Ben denied taking it.
Blaming
Use accuse when one person says another person did something wrong. They accused Leo of lying to clients.
Markers
suggestwarnadmitdenyaccuse ... of
Common mistakes
Wrong
Maria suggested me to leave early.
Correct
Maria suggested leaving early.
Suggest does not take object + to-infinitive in this pattern.
Wrong
The officer warned to stay back.
Correct
The officer warned us to stay back.
Warn + to-infinitive needs the person who receives the warning.
Wrong
Anna admitted to break the vase.
Correct
Anna admitted breaking the vase.
After admit, use an -ing form, not to + verb.
Wrong
Mark denied to take the money.
Correct
Mark denied taking the money.
After deny, use an -ing form, not to + verb.
Wrong
The manager accused Nina stealing files.
Correct
The manager accused Nina of stealing files.
Accuse needs of before the -ing form.
Common misconceptions
❝ All reporting verbs can be followed by to + verb. ❞
No. Some take -ing, some take that-clauses, and some need object + to or object + of + -ing.
❝ Suggest works like tell, so I can put a person right after it. ❞
No. Suggest does not normally take a direct person + to-infinitive pattern.
Skills in this rule (6)
SUGGEST_ING_OR_THATw5Use suggest with -ing or that-clause patterns
Use suggest + -ing for an idea in general, or suggest + that + clause for a full reported idea. Do not put an object directly after suggest.
WARN_OBJECT_TOw5Use warn with object + to-infinitive
Use warn + someone + to do something when a person receives the warning. The person comes before the to-infinitive.
ADMIT_DENY_INGw5Use admit and deny with -ing forms
After admit and deny, use an -ing form to report the action. Do not use a to-infinitive after these verbs in this pattern.
ACCUSE_OBJECT_OF_INGw5Use accuse with object + of + -ing
Use accuse + someone + of + -ing when one person says another person did something wrong. Keep of before the -ing form.
CHOOSE_REPORTING_PATTERNw4Choose the right pattern for each reporting verb
Different reporting verbs take different partners: -ing, object + to, or object + of + -ing. Match the verb to its fixed pattern.
RECOGNIZE_REPORTING_MEANINGSw3Recognize what each reporting verb means
Choose reporting verbs by meaning: suggest for ideas, warn for danger, admit for accepting a fact, deny for rejecting a fact, accuse for blaming.