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Reporting verbs with 'that', 'wh-' and 'if' clauses
Level: intermediate
Reporting verbs with that clauses
When we want to report what people say or think, we can use a reporting verb and a clause with that:
He said that I had to see a doctor.
I thought that he was being silly.
We can leave out the word that:
He said I had to see a doctor.
I thought he was being silly.
These verbs have the pattern:
Noun + Verb + (that) + Clause
With some verbs, we can mention the hearer as the object of the verb:
She reminded him that it was time to go.
He told me he was a friend of yours.
These verbs have the pattern:
Noun + Verb + Noun + (that) + Clause
Reporting verbs with wh- and if clauses
Some reporting verbs introduce a wh- clause or an if clause:
She explained what we had to do.
I didn't know where to go.He asked if I was ready.
I wonder if they're at home.
These verbs have the pattern:
Noun + Verb + wh- word + Clause
or
Noun + Verb + if + Clause
With some verbs, we can mention the hearer as the object of the verb:
He told me what I had to do.
He asked them if they were ready.
These verbs have the pattern:
Noun + Verb + Noun + wh- word + Clause
or
Noun + Verb + Noun + if + Clause
- Reporting verbs 1
- Reporting verbs 2
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Hi ihsan_qwerty,
There is no reason reported speech cannot be used in conversation. It depends entirely on what you are talking about and what you want to say.
YouTube is not an accredited school by any means. Remember that anyone can create a video and put it on the site, and make any claims they wish.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team