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Year 9 English — Say, tell and other reporting verbs

Choose the reporting verb that says what the speaker was really doing, and know which of them must name the listener straight afterwards.

Name: ________________________

  1. 1.Which sentence is correct?

    • a) She said me the answer.
    • b) She told to me the answer.
    • c) She told me the answer.
    • d) She said me to wait.

  2. 2.Ravi can ____ three languages.

    • a) tell
    • b) speak
    • c) talk
    • d) say

  3. 3.Sort each verb by whether the listener can be named straight after it, with nothing in between.

    Groups: Names the listener straight after · Needs "to" before the listener

    • explain
    • tell
    • reply
    • say
    • inform
    • remind

  4. 4.Which sentence uses "talk" correctly?

    • a) I want to talk a story.
    • b) I want to talk you.
    • c) I want to talk to you about the trip.
    • d) I want to talk three languages.

  5. 5.The guard ____ us not to touch the wires.

    • a) said
    • b) warned
    • c) spoke
    • d) talked

  6. 6.Write one word: "The teacher ____ us a story about her own school days."

  7. 7.Match each spoken line to the verb that reports best what the speaker was doing.

    • "I am sorry — I broke it."
    • "Do not go near the edge."
    • "I will be there. You have my word."
    • "You really should see a doctor."
    • "The bus is late because of the rain."
    • admitted
    • advised
    • explained
    • promised
    • warned

  8. 8.Which sentence reports a suggestion correctly?

    • a) He suggested to us leave early.
    • b) He suggested us leaving early.
    • c) He suggested that we leave early.
    • d) He suggested us to leave early.

Answer key — Year 9 English — Say, tell and other reporting verbs

  1. 1. c) She told me the answer.
  2. 2. b) speak
  3. 3. tell → Names the listener straight after; remind → Names the listener straight after; inform → Names the listener straight after; say → Needs "to" before the listener; explain → Needs "to" before the listener; reply → Needs "to" before the listener
  4. 4. c) I want to talk to you about the trip.
  5. 5. b) warned
  6. 6. told
  7. 7. "I am sorry — I broke it." → admitted; "Do not go near the edge." → warned; "I will be there. You have my word." → promised; "You really should see a doctor." → advised; "The bus is late because of the rain." → explained
  8. 8. c) He suggested that we leave early.