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Class 8 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.Sort each sentence by whether it is correct.

    Groups: Correct · Not correct

    • He explained us the rules.
    • He explained the rules to us.
    • She told us the news.
    • She said us the news.

  2. 2.Which sentence reports a suggestion correctly?

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

  3. 3.Put the steps of choosing a reporting verb in the right order.

    • Then check whether that verb needs the listener straight after it or needs "to" first.
    • First, read the spoken words and decide what the speaker was doing — stating, warning, promising or admitting.
    • Next, choose the reporting verb that names that exactly.
    • Last, make the pronouns and the tense fit the new sentence.

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

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

  5. 5.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."
    • warned
    • explained
    • promised
    • admitted
    • advised

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

  7. 7.Write "say" or "tell": "Please do not ____ anyone about the surprise."

  8. 8.Ravi said, "I did not take it." Which single verb reports what Ravi was doing?

    • a) denied
    • b) suggested
    • c) promised
    • d) advised

Answer key — Class 8 English — Say, tell and other reporting verbs

  1. 1. He explained the rules to us. → Correct; He explained us the rules. → Not correct; She told us the news. → Correct; She said us the news. → Not correct
  2. 2. a) He suggested that we leave early.
  3. 3. 1. First, read the spoken words and decide what the speaker was doing — stating, warning, promising or admitting. 2. Next, choose the reporting verb that names that exactly. 3. Then check whether that verb needs the listener straight after it or needs "to" first. 4. Last, make the pronouns and the tense fit the new sentence.
  4. 4. a) I want to talk to you about the trip.
  5. 5. "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
  6. 6. told
  7. 7. tell
  8. 8. a) denied