GRAMMARB2B2 First Italian learner editionEdizione per studenti italiani

B2 Reporting VerbsB2 Reporting Verbs

Learn how to report what people say using accurate B2 patterns: promise to, advise someone to, admit doing, apologise for doing, insist that and more.Impara a riferire ciò che le persone dicono usando pattern B2 corretti: promise to, advise someone to, admit doing, apologise for doing, insist that e altri.

promise toadvise someone tosuggest -ingdeny -ingapologise for -ingaccuse of -inginsist that

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1. See them in context1. Guarda i reporting verbs nel contesto

“Marta apologised for arriving late. She admitted forgetting the invitation, but she promised to make it up. Luca suggested going out on Friday and encouraged her to invite Sara. Tom warned everyone not to be late again.” “Marta apologised for arriving late. She admitted forgetting the invitation, but she promised to make it up. Luca suggested going out on Friday and encouraged her to invite Sara. Tom warned everyone not to be late again.”
Meaning in simple ItalianSignificato in italiano semplice

apologise for doing = scusarsi per aver fatto qualcosa.

admit doing = ammettere di aver fatto qualcosa.

promise to do = promettere di fare qualcosa.

suggest doing = suggerire di fare qualcosa.

encourage someone to do = incoraggiare qualcuno a fare qualcosa.

warn someone not to do = avvertire qualcuno di non fare qualcosa.

2. The complete B2 reporting verbs map2. La mappa completa dei reporting verbs B2

Core idea:Idea centrale:

Reporting verbs are powerful because they show the speaker’s intention: advice, promise, accusation, apology, refusal, explanation or suggestion. At B2, the grammar pattern after the verb matters as much as the meaning.I reporting verbs sono potenti perché mostrano l’intenzione di chi parla: consiglio, promessa, accusa, scusa, rifiuto, spiegazione o suggerimento. Al B2 il pattern grammaticale dopo il verbo è importante quanto il significato.

Verb + to infinitiveVerbo + to infinitive

promise / agree / offer / refuse / threaten + to do

She promised to call me later.

He refused to apologise.

Italian trap: Dopo promise/refuse/offer non usare -ing. Non dire She promised calling.

Verb + object + to infinitiveVerbo + oggetto + to infinitive

advise / encourage / remind / persuade / warn + someone + to do

They advised us to book early.

She reminded me to send the message.

Italian trap: Serve spesso l’oggetto: reminded me to, warned him not to.

Verb + -ingVerbo + -ing

admit / deny / suggest / recommend + doing

He admitted breaking the glass.

She suggested meeting at eight.

Italian trap: Non dire He denied to break it. Usa denied breaking it.

Verb + preposition + -ingVerbo + preposizione + -ing

apologise for / insist on / accuse of / blame for + doing

She apologised for being late.

They accused him of lying.

Italian trap: Dopo una preposizione usa sempre -ing: for being, of lying, on going.

Verb + that-clauseVerbo + that-clause

explain / admit / complain / insist / promise + that

He explained that he was busy.

She insisted that the plan was fair.

Italian trap: Explain non prende object diretto di persona: explain me → explain it to me.

Negative reportingReporting negativo

warn someone not to / deny doing / refuse to

She warned me not to tell anyone.

He denied taking the money.

Italian trap: Per “mi ha detto di non…” usa spesso warned/told/advised me not to, non to don’t.
B2 pattern rule:Regola B2 sui pattern:
  • promise/refuse/offer + to do
  • advise/encourage/remind/warn + someone + to do
  • admit/deny/suggest/recommend + doing
  • apologise for / accuse of / insist on + doing
  • explain/say/insist + that + clause

3. Italian brain vs English brain3. Cervello italiano vs cervello inglese

Italian students often translate reporting verbs literally. These forms are much more accurate for B2 writing and speaking.Gli studenti italiani spesso traducono i reporting verbs in modo letterale. Queste forme sono molto più corrette per writing e speaking B2.

ItalianoLiteral / weak EnglishNatural B2 English
Mi ha suggerito di uscire.He suggested me to go out.He suggested going out. / He suggested that I go out.
Mi ha spiegato il problema.He explained me the problem.He explained the problem to me.
Ha negato di aver mentito.He denied to lie.He denied lying.
Si è scusata per essere arrivata tardi.She apologised to arrive late.She apologised for arriving late.
Mi ha avvertito di non dirlo.She warned me to don’t say it.She warned me not to say it.
Lo hanno accusato di barare.They accused him to cheat.They accused him of cheating.

4. How to use reporting verbs in real context4. Come usare i reporting verbs nel contesto reale

Use reporting verbs when you retell conversations, summarise complaints, describe advice or write B2 First stories, articles, emails and essays.Usa i reporting verbs quando riferisci conversazioni, riassumi lamentele, descrivi consigli o scrivi story, article, email ed essay per il B2 First.

Advice and help
advise, encourage, recommend, remind, persuade
Conflict and problems
accuse, deny, admit, apologise, blame, complain
Plans and decisions
promise, agree, offer, refuse, suggest, insist
Natural mini-story:
The teacher advised us to revise the patterns, but Marco admitted forgetting the homework. He apologised for being unprepared and promised to finish it by Friday.

5. Common mistakes5. Errori comuni

❌ He suggested me to study more.

After suggest, do not use object + to infinitive.Dopo suggest, non usare object + to infinitive.

✅ He suggested studying more. / He suggested that I study more.
❌ She explained me the situation.

Use explain something to someone.Usa explain something to someone.

✅ She explained the situation to me.
❌ He denied to take the phone.

After deny, use -ing.Dopo deny, usa -ing.

✅ He denied taking the phone.
❌ They accused her to copy the essay.

Use accuse someone of doing something.Usa accuse someone of doing something.

✅ They accused her of copying the essay.
❌ My friend warned me to don’t be late.

Negative infinitive = not to.L’infinito negativo è not to.

✅ My friend warned me not to be late.

6. Concept Check Questions6. Domande di controllo del concetto

These questions check meaning and pattern before controlled practice.Queste domande controllano significato e pattern prima della pratica guidata.

1. Which pattern is natural after suggest?Quale pattern è naturale dopo suggest?
2. “She advised me to apply.” Who receives the advice?“She advised me to apply.” Chi riceve il consiglio?
3. “He denied cheating.” What does it mean?“He denied cheating.” Cosa significa?
4. “She apologised for interrupting.” Did she say sorry?“She apologised for interrupting.” Si è scusata?
5. Which is the correct negative warning?Qual è il warning negativo corretto?

7. Quick Check — choose the correct pattern7. Quick Check — scegli il pattern corretto

1. She promised _____ me later.
2. He denied _____ the message.
3. The doctor advised him _____ more rest.
4. I apologised for _____ late.
5. They accused her _____ the answers.
6. He explained the rule _____ me.

8. Challenge Check — B2 accuracy and naturalness8. Challenge Check — accuratezza e naturalezza B2

1. Choose the most natural sentence.Scegli la frase più naturale.
2. Which sentence is correct?Quale frase è corretta?
3. Best translation: “Mi ha avvertito di non fidarmi di lui.”Traduzione migliore: “Mi ha avvertito di non fidarmi di lui.”
4. Best translation: “Lo hanno accusato di mentire.”Traduzione migliore: “Lo hanno accusato di mentire.”
5. Which sentence uses refuse correctly?Quale frase usa refuse correttamente?
6. Choose the accurate B2 sentence.Scegli la frase B2 accurata.

9. Write it in English9. Scrivi in inglese

Translate the Italian sentence into natural B2 English. Use the target reporting verb pattern.Traduci la frase in inglese B2 naturale. Usa il pattern del reporting verb target.

1. Mi ha consigliato di studiare di più.
2. Ha negato di aver copiato.
3. Si è scusata per essere arrivata tardi.
4. Mi ha suggerito di chiamarlo.
5. Mi ha avvertito di non uscire da solo.

10. Cambridge-style transformations and correction10. Trasformazioni stile Cambridge e correzione

Rewrite the sentence naturally using a B2 reporting verb pattern.Riscrivi la frase in modo naturale usando un pattern B2 con reporting verb.

1. Rewrite naturally:

She said she was sorry because she interrupted me.

2. Rewrite naturally:

He said that he had not taken the phone.

3. Rewrite naturally:

My teacher said I should practise every day.

4. Rewrite naturally:

She said, “Let’s meet at seven.”

5. Rewrite naturally:

They said he had cheated in the exam.

11. Mini dialogue practice11. Mini dialogo pratico

Choose the most natural B2 reply.Scegli la risposta B2 più naturale.

A: “What did your teacher say about the exam?”
A: “What happened after the argument?”

12. Guided writing task12. Writing guidato

Write a short report about a disagreement, a teacher’s advice, or a group plan. Include at least five reporting verbs.Scrivi un breve report su un disaccordo, un consiglio del docente o un piano di gruppo. Includi almeno cinque reporting verbs.

object + to infinitive
verb + to infinitive
verb + -ing
apologise for -ing
accuse of -ing
that-clause
Capital letters + punctuation + 45+ words
Model answer:

The teacher advised us to revise the reporting verb patterns before the test. Marco admitted forgetting the homework, but he promised to finish it by Friday. Sara suggested meeting online to practise together, while Luca warned everyone not to leave it until the last minute. In the end, Marco apologised for being unprepared and explained that he had been very busy.

13. How to use reporting verbs in real life13. Come usare i reporting verbs nella vita reale

Reporting verbs are useful in B2 writing because they make your language more precise than “said” or “told”. They are especially powerful in stories, reviews, articles, essays and formal emails.I reporting verbs sono utili nel writing B2 perché rendono il linguaggio più preciso di “said” o “told”. Sono molto utili in stories, reviews, articles, essays ed email formali.

Use them in speakingUsali nello speaking

Use reporting verbs to describe advice, problems, promises and disagreements more naturally.Usa i reporting verbs per descrivere consigli, problemi, promesse e disaccordi in modo più naturale.

Example:
My friend suggested going by train, but my dad warned us not to travel too late.

Use them in B2 First writingUsali nel writing B2 First

In stories and articles, reporting verbs help show attitude and intention instead of repeating “said”.Nelle stories e negli articles, i reporting verbs mostrano atteggiamento e intenzione invece di ripetere sempre “said”.

Example:
She admitted making a mistake and promised to be more careful next time.
Want a lasting method to really learn English?Vuoi un metodo duraturo per imparare davvero l’inglese?

Book a consultation with us and we will help you understand the best path for your level, objectives and timetable.Prenota un colloquio con noi: ti aiuteremo a capire il percorso più adatto al tuo livello, ai tuoi obiettivi e ai tuoi tempi.

Book a consultationPrenota un colloquio

14. Final score and report14. Punteggio finale e report

Check the score, identify weak areas and download or save the result.Controlla il punteggio, identifica le aree deboli e scarica o salva il risultato.

Your resultIl tuo risultato

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