What are the different reporting verbs used in reported speech?

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What are the different reporting verbs used in reported speech?

In reported speech, there are various reporting verbs that are used to convey someone else's words or thoughts. These reporting verbs help to indicate the speaker's attitude, the level of certainty, and the type of speech being reported. Some common reporting verbs used in reported speech include:

1. Say: This is the most common reporting verb used to convey someone's words. It is used for general statements and can be used with both direct and indirect speech. For example, "She said, 'I am going to the store'" can be reported as "She said that she was going to the store."

2. Tell: This verb is used when the speaker is addressing someone directly. It is often followed by an indirect object pronoun. For example, "He told me, 'I will be late'" can be reported as "He told me that he would be late."

3. Ask: This verb is used when the speaker is requesting information or seeking clarification. It is often followed by a question word or if/whether. For example, "She asked, 'Can you help me?'" can be reported as "She asked if I could help her."

4. Explain: This verb is used when the speaker is providing an explanation or giving details. It is often followed by a clause or a direct object. For example, "He explained, 'The meeting has been rescheduled'" can be reported as "He explained that the meeting had been rescheduled."

5. Suggest: This verb is used when the speaker is making a suggestion or offering an idea. It is often followed by a verb in the base form or a gerund. For example, "They suggested, 'Let's go to the movies'" can be reported as "They suggested going to the movies."

6. Claim: This verb is used when the speaker is making a statement that may or may not be true. It is often followed by a clause or a direct object. For example, "He claimed, 'I have never been to Paris'" can be reported as "He claimed that he had never been to Paris."

7. Admit: This verb is used when the speaker is confessing or acknowledging something. It is often followed by a clause or a direct object. For example, "She admitted, 'I made a mistake'" can be reported as "She admitted that she had made a mistake."

8. Deny: This verb is used when the speaker is refusing or contradicting something. It is often followed by a clause or a direct object. For example, "He denied, 'I didn't steal the money'" can be reported as "He denied that he had stolen the money."

These are just a few examples of the reporting verbs used in reported speech. It is important to choose the appropriate reporting verb based on the context and the intended meaning of the reported speech.