Veamos los más importantes:
1: SAY
say + (that) + clause
She said (that) she had already eaten.
("I've already eaten".)
2: TELL
tell + someone + (that) + clause
I told Jack (that) I had quit smoking
When we are reporting orders, we can also use another pattern with 'tell':
tell + someone + to + infinitive
She told the children to go to bed.
3: ASK
Para preguntas:
Ask + someone + if / question word + clause
I asked my boss if he could raise my salary.
She asked them where the theatre was.
Para peticiones:
ask + someone + to + infinitive
I asked Jack to pick me at the airport.
Otros “reporting verbs”, de nuevo, no siguen ningún patrón. No hay reglas. Hay que aprenderlos uno por uno.
4: ADVISE
Advise + someone + to + infinitive
She advised him to see a doctor.
Advise + (that) + clause
I advise that you study hard.
Advise + against + verb-ing
I'd advise against doing that.
5: AGREE
Agree + to + infinitive
We agreed to stop gambling
Agree + (that) + clause
I agreed that they came at seven.
6: APOLOGISE
Apologise + (to + someone) + for + verb-ing
They apologised to us for being late.
Apologise (+ to + someone) + for + noun
She apologised for the delay.
7: DECIDE
Decide + to + infinitive
They decided to go to the cinema.
Decide + (that) + clause
They decided that they would go to the cinema.
8: ENCOURAGE
Encourage + someone + to + infinitive
She encouraged him to start doing sport.
9: EXPLAIN
Explain + (that) + clause
The policeman explained that the robbery had been solved.
Explain + noun + to + someone
She explained history to the students.
NOTE: She explained them history
Explain + question word + to + infinitive
They explained how to download films on the internet.
Explain + question word + clause
We explained what the speech would be about.
10: INSIST
Insist + on + verb-ing
He insisted on paying for the meal.
Insist + (that) + clause
He insisted that we stayed at his home.
11: PROMISE
Promise + to + infinitive
He promised to do it the next day.
Promise + (someone) + (that) + clause
I promised him that I wouldn't do it again.
12: RECOMMEND
Recommend + verb-ing
I recommend visiting La Alhambra.
Recommend + (that) + clause
I recommend that you visit La Alhambra.
13: REMIND
Remind + someone + to + infinitive
She reminded him to take his keys.
Remind + someone + (that) + clause
They reminded me that there is a party tonight.
14: SUGGEST
Suggest + verb-ing
I suggest leaving soon
Suggest + (that) + clause
I suggest that you come as soon as you can.
NOT: I suggest him to come.
15: WARN
Warn + someone + (not) + to + infinitive
I warned them not to drink any more.
Warn + someone + about + something
He warned us about the danger.
