Reported Speech — Verb Patterns

Article excerpt · target grammar marked

Logistics directors consistently warn that lead times written into contracts rarely survive first contact with reality. Port authorities insist that their role is too often ignored when agreements are drawn up.

Grammar Reference · Reported Speech — Verb Patterns

warn + object + that

She warned the supplier that delays would trigger a penalty clause. — subject has prior knowledge of risk

insist + that + should

He insisted that the tariff band should be reviewed quarterly. — formal demand; should stays, does not backshift

predict / confirm /

The analyst predicted that freight costs would rise. — backshift: will → would, can → could, is → was

Common error

She denied that she will accept... ✗ → ...denied that she would accept... ✓ — backshift after past reporting verb

01Exercise 1 — Form · Write the Correct Form

Reported Speech — Verb Patterns

1.The trade minister that the tariff concession would be withdrawn if conditions changed.

2.The port director that the delay figures were being misrepresented.

3.The shipping CEO that fixed-rate contracts were a structural risk.

4.The logistics coordinator that the shipment had cleared the bottleneck at Rotterdam.

5.The freight carrier's director that the surcharges were linked to profiteering.

6.The IMF economist that lead times would increase across all major freight corridors.

02Exercise 2 — Transform

rewrite with the new structure

1.'We will not accept a fixed-rate clause,' said the carrier.

2.'The bottleneck at Busan is getting worse,' said the port authority.

3.'Our freight charges are fully justified,' said the CEO.

4.'Delivery will be on time,' said the logistics coordinator.

5.'We did not breach the contract terms,' said the supplier.

6.'Lead times will increase in Q3,' said the analyst.

03Exercise 3 — About You

in your notebook

Personalise: complete five sentences about yourself using the target grammar.

Reported Speech — Verb Patterns01EnglishPlans.com