Definition / Explanation
In advanced academic and analytical writing, reported speech is used not to repeat exact words, but to position sources and show stance toward claims. Writers choose reporting verbs carefully because each verb can suggest strength, caution, disagreement, support, or interpretation. A verb such as argue presents a reasoned claim, while suggest sounds more cautious and demonstrate sounds stronger. Grammar also matters, because different reporting verbs take different patterns. At C2, reporting is a tool of argument structure, not just grammar transformation.
Key Rules
- Use reporting verbs that show stance precisely: argues, claims, suggests, demonstrates, acknowledges.
- Match the verb to the right pattern: argue that, suggest that, advise someone to, deny -ing.
- In academic style, reporting often summarises a source rather than quoting it directly.
- Choose verbs carefully because they affect how confident, critical, or neutral the sentence sounds.
- Keep tense choices consistent with the surrounding academic frame.
Examples
- The author argues that the policy was premature.
- Several studies have suggested that the link is weak.
- Smith acknowledges that the data are limited.
- The report demonstrates that costs have risen.
- Researchers have questioned whether the sample was large enough.
Common Mistakes
- ❌ The author says the policy was premature in formal academic writing where stance matters. -> ✅ The author argues that the policy was premature.
- ❌ Several studies have suggested the link is weak. -> ✅ Several studies have suggested that the link is weak.
- ❌ Researchers questioned that the sample was large enough. -> ✅ Researchers questioned whether the sample was large enough.