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News items on radio and television tend to
employ a great deal of Reported Speech, and there is a certain
formality in the language used generally in reporting news. This
section looks at aspects of formal reporting. |
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SOME FORMAL WAYS OF
REPORTING SPEECH |
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Pay attention to the variety of patterns and
verbs we can use when reporting news or when reporting what
people said:
ON BEING + PAST PARTICIPLE |
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On being asked (for information)
about ... the man admitted (that) ... |
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On being questioned about ... the
policeman denied (-ing verb) ... |
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On being invited to comment on ...
the author stated/declared (that) ... |
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On being accused of (-ing verb)
... the thief declared (that) ... |
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When requested to ... the student
acknowledged/conceded (that) ... |
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When pressed for information about
... the manager accepted (that) ... |
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When informed that ... the
headmaster doubted/wondered whether ... |
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When interviewed about ... the pop
star replied (that) ... |
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FORMAL AND INFORMAL
REPORTING VERBS |
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There are many verbs one can use in English
in place of say, tell, ask, etc. Note those
which would be used in more formal reporting and rarely in
everyday speech:
VERBS COMMONLY USED TO REPORT IN INFORMAL STYLE: |
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say - tell - ask - want to know -
wonder - answer |
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VERBS COMMONLY USED TO REPORT IN A FORMAL
STYLE: |
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state - declare - recount -
enquire - ask oneself - reply |
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OTHER CONSTRUCTIONS
FOR REPORTING SPEECH |
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Often we report what people say or said by
using some other verb construction. Verbs commonly used are: |
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congratulate on - compliment on -
promise to - admit to - encourage to - thank for -
suggest - regret - threaten - apologise - advise - warn
- beg - swear - implore - recommend - deny - order -
invite |
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Now look at these examples: |
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'Congratulations on passing the
exam.'
► I
congratulated
her on passing
the exam. |
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'You've done a good job.'
► She
complimented
me on doing
a good job. |
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'I'll be there early.'
► He
promised to be
there early. |
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On the next page you will be able to practise
this grammar. |
