verb + preposition + -ing

When reporting what someone else has said, the reporting verb in the main clause is usually in the past tense. The rest of the sentence is normally past too, and the reporting clause is introduced by a linking conjunction such as that or if which follows the reporting verb:

1.	The lecturer	said	that	the audience did not understand very well.
		reporting verb		reported speech
2.	Mary	asked	if	she could go home.
		reporting verb

Here are some of the most common reporting verbs which are used in this pattern, and their associated linking conjunctions:

Reporting verbs used in the pattern:
verb + conjunction + *reported speech*
say that	think that	write that	ask if	explain that
state that	question whether	wonder if	suggest that	reply that
answer that	shout that	report that	disclose that	request that

Here are some examples of these.

1. Mary said that she was going to be late.
2. They thought that moving to another place was not a good idea.
3. The suppliers wrote that they would not be able to meet our order.
4. Bill asked if we would like to go out to eat this evening.
5. The receptionist explained that her boss was in a meeting.
6. The Minister stated that the pay cuts would go ahead.
7. The MP questioned whether the pay cuts were necessary.
8. Bill wondered if we were doing anything this evening.
9. The doctor suggested that I should get more exercise.
10. I replied that I would try to find the time to do so.
11. I sent her a request by email, but she answered that she was too busy just now to attend to it.
12. The policeman shouted that we should leave the building immediately.
13. It was reported that the government had decided to lower taxes.
14. The Minister disclosed that they had held secret meetings with the rebels.
15. The Dean requested that everyone should send in a report.

Although the above examples are all written in the past, we often use present tenses for reported speech as well, if the situeation is appropriate.

eg Most experts say that Brazil will win the World Cup.

It is also common to omit the linking conjunction that:

eg The Minister stated the pay cuts would go ahead.

The verbs 'tell' and 'ask'

When you say who you are speaking to, use the verb tell:

eg	Mary told me (that) you were ill.
	He told us (that) Jane had married an American and gone to New York.

When you report a question someone has asked, use the verb ask:

eg	Mary asked (me) if you were ill.
	He asked (us) if Jane had married an American and gone to New York.

** Note that the conjunction 'that' can be omitted when 'tell' is used, but not the object person, whereas the conjunction 'if' is required when using the verb 'ask' but the object person is optional.

The verb tell is also used in the following patterns with the to infinitive usually with the meaning of giving instructions to someone else:

	subject	reporting verb	object	to + infinitive
1.	The lecturer	told	the class	to listen.
2.	Mary	told	her daughter	to sit still.

The verb ask can also be used in this way like tell:

	subject	reporting verb	object	to + infinitive
1.	The lecturer	asked	the class	to write down the answers.
2.	Mary	asked	her daughter	to wash the dishes.

In the above examples, the object and subject are different. The verb ask can also be used without an object with the to infinitive, usually with the meaning of asking for permission:

	subject	reporting verb	to + infinitive
1.	James	asked	to leave early.
2.	Mary	asked	to be excused from the meeting.

Other reporting verbs used in the pattern:
verb + person object + *to infinitive*
advise	instruct	order	request	warn
encourage	challenge	urge	persuade	promise

Here are some examples of these.

1. The doctor advised me to give up smoking.
2. The client has instructed us to build a new extension.
3. The police ordered the protesters to leave the building.
4. Mary has requested me to give her a copy of my timetable.
5. The notice warned the public not to drop litter.
6. The Minister encouraged the public to be more energy conscious.
7. The MP challenged the government to explain why the cuts were necessary.
8. The Minister urged the public to be more tidy.
9. My colleague persuaded me to do it differently.
10. The Chief Executive promised the public to listen to their suggestions.

The verb 'tell' with two objects

There is also a very common pattern for using the verb tell with two objects:

eg	Mary told me a funny story.
	He told Parliament a downright lie.
	I will tell you a tale of three little pigs.
	Can you tell me the time?

When you have studied these examples, try the exercise below.

Exercise: verb + preposition + -ing

This exercise uses these verbs. Select which is the best answer from the drop down list.

Enter your name:

1. Ann she was leaving and went out.

2. Come on, us where you went last night - I'm dying to know.

3. The judge the defense counsel not to ask irrelevant questions.

4. I didn't want to see the film at first, but my friends me to go, and I'm glad I did.

5. I couldn't understand, so I him to explain.

6. The customs officer me to open my bag.

7. I have always my daughter to practice the piano, but she is too lazy to do so.

8. Bill that we should go to an Indian restaurant for a change.

9. We have them to give us an explanation, but we have not had any reply.

10. Look, don't just sit there dumbly. Try and me the answer.

11. The reporters that the President had publicly lied about his relationship with his assistant.

12. The President that he had not had sexual relations with the woman.

13. Mary that she would come early, but she was late as usual.

14. He started asking personal questions so I him to mind his own business.

15. The judge both counsel to be brief in asking their questions.

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