Page 97 - Advanced English Grammar in Use

R e p o r t i n g s t a t e m e n t s ( 1 ) : t h a t - c l a u s e s
(1):
statements
that-clauses
Reporting
we report statements, we often use a that-c\ause in the reported clause (see Unit 43):
When we report statements, we often use a that-clause in the reported clause (see Unit 43):
When
He said (that) he was enjoying his work.
• ¢ He said (that) he was enjoying his work.
mentioned (that) he'd seen you the other day.
• « My husband mentioned (that) he'd seen you the other day.
My husband
Security Council warned that further action may be taken.
• ¢« The members of the Security Council warned that further action may be taken.
The members of the
such as agree, mention, notice, promise, say, think, we
After the more common reporting verbs such as agree, mention, notice, promise, say, think, we
After the more common reporting verbs
leave out that, particularly in informal speech. However, it is less likely to be left out after
often leave out that, particularly in informal speech. However, it is less likely to be left out after
often
such as complain, confide, deny, grumble, speculate, warn; and
less common reporting verbs such as complain, confide, deny, grumble, speculate, warn; and
less common reporting verbs
and after the verbs answer, argue, reply. We are also more likely to
also in formal writing; and after the verbs answer, argue, reply. We are also more likely to
also in formal writing;
that-c\a.usz doesn't immediately follow the verb. Compare:
include it if the
include it if the zhat-clause doesn't immediately follow the verb. Compare:
agreed (that)
it would be safer to buy a car than a motorbike, and
She
• * She agreed (that) it would be safer to buy a car than a motorbike. and
She agreed with her parents and brothers that it would be safer to buy a car than a
• ¢ She agreed with her parents and brothers that it would be safer to buy a car than a
brothers it would be
...and
safer...)
(rather than
motorbike.
motorbike, (rather than ...and brothers it would be safer...)
Some reporting verbs which are followed by a rfwf-clause have an alternative with an object +
Some reporting verbs which are followed by a rfwf-clause have an alternative with an object +
to be),
(often
often rather
alternatives
are
the
Compare:
although
formal.
to-infinitive (often to be), although the alternatives are often rather formal. Compare:
to-infinitive
I felt that the results were satisfactory.
I felt the results to be satisfactory.
• ¢ I felt that the results were satisfactory. or or • © I felt the results to be satisfactory.
They declared that the vote was invalid.
They declared the vote to be invalid.
• ¢ They declared that the vote was invalid. or or • * They declared the vote to be invalid.
Other verbs like this include acknowledge, assume, believe, consider, expect, find, presume,
Other verbs like this include acknowledge, assume, believe, consider, expect, find, presume,
report, think, understand.
report, think, understand.
following
sentence:
the
Study the following sentence:
Study
I notified the bank that I had changed my address.
• ¢ I notified the bank that I had changed my address.
between the
after the verb
('the bank')
notify,
that-c\a.use
then we must
a
object
use an
If we use a that-clause after the verb notify, then we must use an object (‘the bank') between the
If we use
gv" and the that-c\ause, and this object can't be a prepositional object (see E below). So we
verb and the that-clause, and this object can't be a prepositional object (see E below). So we
'I
notified that
say
bank that I
notified to the
T
or
I
...'
...'
can't say 'I notified that I ...' or T notified to the bank that I ...'
can't
Other verbs like this include assure, convince, inform, persuade, reassure, remind, tell.
Other verbs like this include assure, convince, inform, persuade, reassure, remind, tell.
before
^af-clause:
promise,
teach,
a
show,
advise,
and warn, we sometimes put an object
With
With advise, promise, show, teach, and warn, we sometimes put an object before a that-clause:
(me)
that they would come to the party.
They promised
• ¢ They promised (me) that they would come to the party.
A recent survey has shown (us)
that Spain is the favourite destination for British holiday
• « A recent survey has shown (us) that Spain is the favourite destination for British holiday
makers.
makers.
Study the following sentences:
Study the following sentences:
that she was seriously ill.
(to me)
• ¢ She admitted (to me) that she was seriously ill.
She admitted
(with
agreed
that the information should go no further.
Susan)
• ¢ We agreed (with Susan) that the information should go no further.
We
(of him)
I begged
(Very formal; less formal would be
that he should reconsider his decision.
• ¢ I begged (of him) that he should reconsider his decision. (Very formal; less formal would be
begged him to reconsider his decision.')
'I 'I begged him to reconsider his decision.') do include an object, we put a preposition before it
Reporting questions => prepositional object: admit, announce, complain, Reporting offers, efc. = indicate,
an
or without
that-c\ax\st with
use
object
a
'Susan',
admit,
('me',
agree and beg we can
After admit, agree and beg we can use a that-clause with or without an object (‘me', ‘Susan’,
After
before the
that-c\a.me. However,
if we
'him') before the that-clause. However, if we do include an object, we put a preposition before it
‘him')
'with',
This
sometimes
called
a prepositional object.
is
object
'of').
X 'to', 'with', ‘of’). This object is sometimes called a prepositional object.
X{'to',
+
explain,
confess,
to
with
Verbs
Verbs with to + prepositional object: admit, announce, complain, confess, explain, indicate,
suggest
say,
mention, point out, propose, recommend, report,
mention, point out, propose, recommend, report, say, suggest
with
confirm,
disagree,
prepositional object:
plead
agree,
check,
with
argue,
+
Verbs
Verbs with with + prepositional object: agree, argue, check, confirm, disagree, plead
of +
prepositional object:
with
demand,
require
ask,
beg,
Verbs
Verbs with of + prepositional object: ask, beg, demand, require
Reporting offers, etc.
Reporting questions:
Reporting statements (2) and (3) = =>
Reporting salements (2) and (3)