Many reporting verbs can be followed by another verb in either an infinitive or an -ing form. However, we can also use other reporting verbs. When we tell someone what another person said, we often use the verbs say, tell or ask. Reported speech 3 – reporting verbs: 1 Grammar explanation Indirect speech: He denied finishing the coffee. Indirect speech: He told us to wait there.ĭirect speech: 'It wasn't me who finished the coffee,' he said. Indirect speech: She persuaded me to come.

Look at these examples to see how reporting verbs are used.ĭirect speech: 'You should come, it's going to be a lot of fun,' she said.