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Interactive Grammar: Highly Formal Reporting Structures

Use the most formal reporting and attribution structures found in academic, legal, and journalistic writing.

Grammar Explanation · Authentic Examples · Practice Exercises

Lesson progressNot started
Duration
~36 min
Exercises
24
Level
Mastery

Overview

Use the most formal reporting and attribution structures found in academic, legal, and journalistic writing.

Academic Attribution

  • According toAccording to Smith (2020), the evidence is inconclusive.
  • As X arguesAs the author contends, this analysis remains incomplete.
  • Passive rep.It has been argued that such distinctions are arbitrary.
  • Stance verbThe study contends / asserts / posits that reform is urgent.

Legal / Journalistic

  • The defendant is alleged to have + past participle
  • Sources close to the matter indicated that…
  • It is understood / reported / believed that…
  • Attributed speech: stated the minister / the spokesperson added

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Overusing 'says' in academic writing → prefer argues / contends / maintains
  • ❌ According to him, he said that → redundant double reporting
  • ❌ The study says → ✅ demonstrates / reveals / indicates

When to use

Research writing

As Brown (2021) posits, the framework requires substantial revision.

News reporting

It is alleged that the official accepted undeclared payments.

Legal documents

The claimant asserts that the defendant breached contractual obligations.

Policy reports

It is recommended that further consultation take place before implementation.

Formal Reporting: Multiple Choice

Select the most formal or accurate reporting structure

Multiple Choice10 questions
1Most formal academic attribution:
2Journalistic passive reporting: '…the official accepted payments':
3Legal attribution for unverified claim:
4Academic verb for presenting evidence-based claim:
5'The study says X' in formal academic writing should be:
6Avoid redundancy: 'According to Smith, she said that…':
7Most formal: 'people believe the costs will rise':
8Policy document: 'the government should consult widely' → formal:
9Academic stance verb that signals intellectual challenge:
10Best attribution in a literature review:

Complete the Formal Reporting Structure

Complete with the correct formal reporting phrase

Fill in the Blanks8 questions
1As Brown (2021)(academic stance), the framework requires substantial revision.
2It(passive alleged)that the official withheld critical information.
3The defendant(alleged + have)misappropriated institutional funds.
4It(widely believed)that the vote will be close.
5The report(formal recommend)that an independent review be commissioned.
6According to(citation format)(2019), the correlation is statistically significant.
7It(passive understand)that the talks have broken down irreparably.
8The analysis(academic indicate)that further investment is urgently required.

Upgrade to Highly Formal Reporting

Rewrite each weak reporting structure in a highly formal register

Transform6 questions

1People say the minister resigned over the scandal. → (It is reported that…)

2Smith says in his book that the theory is flawed. → (As Smith (20XX) argues…)

3The government thinks further reform is necessary. → (It is recommended that…)

4The official probably accepted the payment. → (alleged to have)

5The study shows that the treatment works. → (demonstrates / indicates)

6Experts think the economy will contract next quarter. → (It is widely anticipated…)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this lesson on direct and indirect speech cover?

Use the most formal reporting and attribution structures found in academic, legal, and journalistic writing.

Which CEFR level is this lesson designed for?

This lesson is designed for Mastery (C2) learners and forms part of the Direct and Indirect Speech section on Grammartier.

What is the best approach for studying this grammar topic?

Start with the definition, then study the examples carefully to understand how the pattern works in context. Practise identifying the structure in authentic sentences before producing your own — this recognition-first approach builds a strong foundation for accurate, confident use.

Your Grammar Learning Path

Follow the CEFR progression for this topic cluster.

  1. C1
    Advanced Reporting Verbs
  2. C1
    Advanced Passive Reporting Structures
  3. C2
    Highly Formal Reporting StructuresYou are here

Before You Start

Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first.

Related Concepts

Deepen your grammar knowledge with these related C2 topics.

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