Reporting Verbs

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This resource is designed for English Language Learners (ELLs) who require assistance in a particular academic skill. Each handout provides brief explanations related to different core skills (reading, writing, listening, and/or speaking), and it offers some simple examples of mistakes and how these might be corrected. 

While these handouts are designed primarily for ELL students, anyone seeking to improve their writing may find these documents useful. Check out the links at the end of the handout for more resources.

What is a reporting verb? 

A reporting verb is a verb that you use to refer to sources or cite quotations.

Examples: 

She says that she will be home late. The teacher recommended that the student go to the library for more sources. 

In academic writing, you use reporting verbs to describe other people’s research or activities. Very often, in academic writing, reporting takes place in the present tense; this is because of the need to bring the past research into the present moment.

Choose an appropriate reporting verb 

“Say” is a great reporting verb in conversations, but academic writing has many more requirements. In academic writing, a reporting verb is used to cite sources of information like journal articles and books.

Different reporting verbs have more or less strength: they can emphasize or de-emphasize an argument. The strong verb conveys a much more forceful idea than a neutral one, so it changes how you report on an author’s research. There are three kinds of reporting verbs:

Strong: make a point that the author is completely sure of and wants to emphasize. 

Uncertain: verbs that authors use when they are not totally sure whether the points are true but want to use them as parts of the arguments 

Neutral: a factual description that the author uses to explain the terms of an argument. There is no value judgment for or against an argument.

For example, “to argue” is a strong verb, while “to suggest” is a neutral one, and “appear to think” is an uncertain one. 

Dr. Berman argues that more research is necessary. 

The strong reporting verb “argue" in the example shows certainty and emphasis. It means Dr. Berman believes strongly that more research is needed. 

Dr. Berman appears to think that more research is necessary.

The reporting verb “appear to think” in the above example shows that Dr. Berman may believe that more research is necessary, but he is still hesitant.

Five Sentence Patterns for Using Reporting Verbs: 

Use one of these five sentence patterns to incorporate an information source into your writing. 

1. Reporting verb + that 

• The research suggests that bilingualism enhances cognitive development. 
• Klein concludes that both experiments are flawed. 

2. Reporting verb + preposition 

• Lee disagrees with other scientists. 
• Zhou warns of the possible consequences of this decision for the industry. 

3. As + somebody + reporting verb 

• As Ali recommends, regular exercise can prevent heart disease in elderly people. 
• As Wu warns, sunscreen needs to be used half an hour before going outside. 

4. Reporting verb + noun 

• Kennedy supports the studies. 
• Phillips refutes his colleague’s argument. 

5. Reporting verb + somebody/something + as 

• Berry shows the approval process as flawed.

Practice Exercises: Choose the best reporting verbs for the following sentences. Look up the verbs in a dictionary if you are not sure of their meanings:

1. “Your stomach problem doesn’t seem too serious. But if you’re really worried about it, you’d go to the hospital to get an examination,” Brett said to me. Brett _______ me to go and see a doctor.

A) warned 

B) accepted 

C) advised

2. “I hate taking notes for this class! The professor speaks too quickly.” Clara_______ that note-taking was too difficult. 

A) complained 

B) indicated 
C) Recommended

3. “Class, you are not allowed to bring your study guides into the final exam.” The teaching assistant _______ to the class that students could not use their study guides.

A) conceded 

B) mentioned 

C) announced

4. “It’s not safe to bicycle at night without using a bike light. Without one, you would be breaking the law.” His roommate _______ that he use a bike light.

A) disputed 

B) insisted 

C) interpreted

5. “Arsenal football club won the European Cup last year.” The sportswriter _______ that Arsenal won the European cup last year.

A) affirmed 

B) speculated 

C) investigated

6.“Why don’t we get a group of us together to go see a movie?” Jordan _______ a group of friends that they go to see a movie.

A) justified to 

B) highlighted to 

C) suggested to

7. “I know I cancelled our shopping trip,” Jonah told Gerald, “But I hurt my ankle.” Jonah _______ Gerald why he cancelled their shopping trip.

A) recommended to 

B) explained to 

C) objected to

8. Although a few doctors question the need for confidentiality, most healthcare professionals accept that patient records are private. The report _______ most doctors accept confidentiality rules.

A) investigated that 

B) emphasized that 

C) supposed that

9.“You’re right, Karina,” said John. “If I don’t insist on getting paid, my boss will not give me my wages.” John _______ Karina that he had to ask for his wages. 

A) doubted 

B) agreed with 

C) emphasized to

10. After many months of waiting, Lisa finally heard that the government accepted her application for a work visa. Lisa _______ that she received a work visa. 

A) confirmed B) evaluated C) thought

Answers: 

1. advised 
2. complained 
3. announced 
4. insisted 
5. affirmed 
6. suggested 
7. explained 
8. emphasized that 
9. agreed with 
10. confirmed

More resources for reporting verbs 

• Verbs for Referring to Sources – UofT Writing Advice: 
• Reporting verbs – University of Technology Sydney
• Attend the Professional English Language Skills (PELS) workshops
• Book an Appointment with an RGASC Writing Instructor

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