Reporting Verbs

Article excerpt · target grammar marked

Akshay Deoras, a senior researcher at the University of Reading, argued that human-driven climate change had fundamentally altered the baseline. Liz Bentley predicted that UK June heat records would be exceeded by more than 2°C.

Grammar Reference · Reporting Verbs

said / stated

Neutral reporting. She stated that the risk had increased. Tense backshifts after past reporting verb.

warned / predicted

Used when the speaker signals danger or a future outcome. He warned that records would be broken.

argued / insisted

Shows the speaker defends a position. She argued that the policy needed revision.

Tense backshift table

Direct: 'It is extreme.' → Reported: She said it was extreme. | Direct: 'It has risen.' → Reported: He said it had risen.

01Exercise 1 — Form · Write the Correct Form

Reporting Verbs

1.The CEO that the company would review all heat protocols by August.

2.The meteorologist that temperatures would reach record levels by Thursday.

3.The HR director that remote working had reduced productivity losses significantly.

4.The consultant that climate risk was now a core operational variable.

5.SNCB that several rush-hour services had been cancelled due to track risks.

6.The facilities manager that the building's cooling system had failed overnight.

02Exercise 2 — Transform

rewrite with the new structure

1.The minister: 'We are closing 845 schools immediately.'

2.The researcher: 'Climate change has made this event more intense.'

3.The forecaster: 'Temperatures will reach 44°C in parts of Spain.'

4.The risk consultant: 'Companies must revise their contingency plans now.'

5.Bentley: 'The June heat record will be exceeded by more than 2°C.'

6.SNCB: 'We have cancelled rush-hour trains to prevent track failures.'

03Exercise 3 — About You

in your notebook

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

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