Verbs of Reporting Study the following sentences. • “What!” screamed Mother. • “N-n-no”, she whispered. • “Sit up,” he ordered. The italicised words are verbs of reporting. We quote or report what someone has said or thought by using a reporting verb. Every reporting clause contains a reporting verb. For example: • He promised to help in my project. • “How are you doing?” Seema asked. We use verbs of reporting to advise, order, report statements, thoughts, intentions, questions, requests, apologies, manner of speaking and so on. 1. Underline the verbs of reporting in the following sentences. (i) He says he will enjoy the ride. (ii) Father mentioned that he was going on a holiday. (iii) No one told us that the shop was closed. (iv) He answered that the price would go up. (v) I wondered why he was screaming. (vi) Ben told her to wake him up. (vii) Ratan apologised for coming late to the party. 2. Some verbs of reporting are given in the box. Choose the appropriate verbs and fill in the blanks in the following sentences. were complaining shouted replied remarked ordered suggested (i) “I am not afraid,” __________ the woman. (ii) “Leave me alone,” my mother __________. (iii) The children __________ that the roads were crowded and noisy. (iv) “Perhaps he isn’t a bad sort of a chap after all,” __________the master. (v) “Let’s go and look at the school ground,” __________ the sports teacher. (vi) The traffic police __________ all the passers-by to keep off the road.
Answers
Answer:
1 (i) He __ says__ he will enjoy the ride. Says is the reporting verb
(ii) Father __mentioned__ that he was going on a holiday. Mentioned is the reporting verb here.
(iii) No one ___told__ us that the shop was closed. Told is the reporting verb here.
(iv) He __answered__ that the price would go up. Answered is the reporting verb here.
(v) I __wondered__ why he was screaming. Wondered is the reporting verb here.
(vi) Ben __told___ her to wake him up. Told is the reporting verb here
(vii) Ratan __apologised__ for coming late to the party. Apologised is the reporting verb here.
2(i)" I am not afraid,” _replied_ the woman.
(ii) “Leave me alone,” my mother _shouted_.
(iii) The children __were complaining__ that the roads were crowded and noisy.
(iv) “Perhaps he isn’t a bad sort of chap after all,” _remarked_ the master.
(v)Let’s go and look at the school ground,” _suggested_ the sports teacher.
(vi) The traffic police _ordered_ all the passers-by to keep off the road.
Explanation:
questions:
Underline the verbs of reporting in the following sentences. (i) He says he will enjoy the ride. (ii) Father mentioned that he was going on a holiday. (iii) No one told us that the shop was closed. (iv) He answered that the price would go up. (v) I wondered why he was screaming. (vi) Ben told her to wake him up. (vii) Ratan apologised for coming late to the party.
Explanation:
(i) She was delighted by the news of her brother’s wedding.
(ii) I was thrilled to be invited to the party.
(iii) She was overjoyed at the birth of her granddaughter.
(iv) The coach was pleased with his performance.
(v) She was very happy with her results.
questions:
Some verbs of reporting are given in the box. Choose the appropriate verbs and fill in the blanks in the following sentences. were complaining shouted replied remarked ordered suggested (i) “I am not afraid,” __________ the woman. (ii) “Leave me alone,” my mother __________. (iii) The children __________ that the roads were crowded and noisy. (iv) “Perhaps he isn’t a bad sort of a chap after all,” __________the master. (v) “Let’s go and look at the school ground,” __________ the sports teacher. (vi) The traffic police __________ all the passers-by to keep off the road.
Answer:
(i) “I am not afraid,”replied the woman.
(ii) “Leave me alone,”my mother shouted.
(iii) The children were complaining the roads were crowded and noisy.
(iv) “Perhaps he isn’t a bad sort of a chap after all,”remarked the man.
(v) “Let’s go and look at the school ground,” suggested the sports teacher.
(vi) The traffic police ordered all the passers-by to keep off the road.