What Did Everyone Suggest? Reporting Verb Practice

B2 • About 32 minutes. Identify the intention of a short utterance. Select a reporting verb without strengthening its meaning. Build accurate complements and preserve the people involved. Write a faithful set of conversational notes.

Read the original garden-planning chat

All speakers and plans are fictional. Asha, Ben, Nia and Sam are discussing a shared garden. Line 1, Asha: “Let’s meet at nine on Saturday to prepare the flowerbeds. I suggest bringing notebooks so we can record what still needs doing. Nine is only a proposal; please check your availability before we decide.”

Line 2, Ben: “I didn’t move the chairs from the shed. I saw them beside the door when I arrived. I can bring two watering cans on Saturday, and I promise to return them afterwards. I cannot stay beyond noon.”

Line 3, Nia: “Ben, you should wear gloves for the planting task. Sam, remember to check the seed labels before we choose the beds. I recommend that we leave the central path clear. We have not yet agreed which flowers to buy.”

Line 4, Sam: “I insist on checking the measurements before we order any large planters. We could use small pots instead, but that is another suggestion, not a decision. Please do not describe it as our agreed plan.”

Line 5, Asha: “We all agree to keep the central path clear. I will write that as a decision. I still need everyone’s reply about nine, and I have not chosen between large planters and small pots. Let’s keep those questions open in the notes.”

Agreement ledger: confirmed — central path stays clear. Not yet agreed — nine o’clock meeting, flower choices, large planters versus small pots. Commitments — Ben promises to return the watering cans. A request, piece of advice or suggestion is not automatically a group decision.

Report words, actors and status

Use the line number as evidence for every factual report. Reporting verbs let you be concise, but they also interpret the original words. A note that says “Sam admitted moving the chairs” would be wrong in both speaker and meaning. Ben denied moving them. A note that says “Everyone agreed to meet at nine” would convert an unresolved proposal into a decision.

When an -ing clause leaves the actor unclear, use a named object or a that-clause. “Nia reminded Sam to check the labels” clearly makes Sam the checker. “Asha suggested bringing notebooks” is a proposal to the group in this chat; it does not mean Asha promised to bring notebooks for everyone.

Match intention to reporting verb

Choose the verb that preserves the original speech act.

Build the reporting pattern

Follow the named pattern and preserve the source meaning.

Who acts and who speaks?

Do not assign an action merely from the reporting subject.

Edit misleading notes

Repair the grammar or the unsupported factual claim.

Write, compare and revise

Your turn · self-review

Independent writing

Write your own response first, then compare the model and use the self-review checklist below. The model is one possible answer, not a script to copy.

Practice only. Your writing stays on this page; it is not submitted or saved.

1. 1Write a 15–25-word note about Asha’s proposed meeting time and its current status.
   Model answer and explanation

   Asha suggested meeting at nine on Saturday, but the group still needs to confirm that time after checking availability.

2. 2Write a 15–25-word note preserving Ben’s denial and his promise.
   Model answer and explanation

   Ben denied moving the chairs and promised to return the two watering cans that he can bring on Saturday.

3. 3Write a 15–25-word note naming who receives Nia’s advice and reminder.
   Model answer and explanation

   Nia advised Ben to wear gloves and reminded Sam to check the seed labels before choosing the beds.

4. 4Write a 15–25-word note about the confirmed group decision.
   Model answer and explanation

   Everyone agreed to keep the central path clear, and Asha said she would record that point as a decision.

5. 5Write a 15–25-word note about Sam’s measurement check and the undecided planters.
   Model answer and explanation

   Sam insisted on checking the measurements before any large planters are ordered; the group has not chosen a planter size.

6. 6Write a 15–25-word note about the alternative small-pot proposal and its unagreed status.
   Model answer and explanation

   Sam suggested using small pots instead, but Asha confirmed that the choice between small pots and large planters remains open.

Self-review and transfer

Each model note contains 15–25 words. Note 1 preserves the tentative meeting time; note 6 preserves the alternative pot proposal. Note 4 records the only confirmed group decision. Check the original line for each verb, the actor of every infinitive or -ing clause, and the status of each idea. If a short report makes the actor uncertain, replace it with a that-clause naming the person. Do not change a denial into an admission or a suggestion into an order.

Related learning

Companion resource: Reporting Verbs: Suggest Doing, Advise Someone To and More.

Related references for further study: Choose a New Hobby: Gerunds and Infinitives Practice; When Game Instructions Are Unclear; Disagree Without Ending the Conversation.