English grammar
Reacting verbs: thank or reproach someone for -ing · accuse someone of -ing · resent -ing · I'd appreciate it if…
Report people's thanks, complaints and regrets with the right verb pattern.
From the scene He accused me of…
In short
Thank, reproach or blame someone for -ing, but accuse someone of -ing. Resent takes -ing; say I'd appreciate it if…
Your turn
Which one goes with a reproach, earlier action?
Options: one lady thanked me for appearing · he accused me of being uglier · reproached me for not having married you
Show answer
a reproach, earlier action → reproached me for not having married you
How it works
Thank and reproach take a person, then for + -ing, just like blame someone for; accuse takes of: he accused me of being uglier.
Good to know
For an earlier action, use having + past participle: she reproached me for not having married you.
Good to know
Resent and appreciate take -ing directly: I resent being drawn. A polite request is I'd appreciate it if + past simple.
thanks one lady thanked me for appearing
Ramón
One lady thanked me for appearing in pyjamas in chapter three.
Una señora me agradeció que saliera en pijama en el capítulo tres.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) in pyjamas in chapter three.
Options: He accused me of being uglier · One lady thanked me for appearing · Reproached me for not having married you
Show answer
Ramón
One lady thanked me for appearing in pyjamas in chapter three.
Una señora me agradeció que saliera en pijama en el capítulo tres.
a reproach, earlier action reproached me for not having married you
Ramón
Another one reproached me for not having married you.
Otra me reprochó que no me hubiera casado con usted.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Another one (blank).
Options: reproached me for not having married you · one lady thanked me for appearing · he accused me of being uglier
Show answer
Ramón
Another one reproached me for not having married you.
Otra me reprochó que no me hubiera casado con usted.
an accusation he accused me of being uglier
Ramón
He accused me of being uglier than my drawing!
¡Me acusó de ser más feo que mi dibujo!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) than my drawing!
Options: One lady thanked me for appearing · Reproached me for not having married you · He accused me of being uglier
Show answer
Ramón
He accused me of being uglier than my drawing!
¡Me acusó de ser más feo que mi dibujo!
a resentful reaction I resent being drawn without permission
Ramón
Well, I resent being drawn without permission.
Pues a mí me molesta que me hayan dibujado sin permiso.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Well, (blank).
Options: Reproached me for not having married you · I resent being drawn without permission · One lady thanked me for appearing
Show answer
Ramón
Well, I resent being drawn without permission.
Pues a mí me molesta que me hayan dibujado sin permiso.
a polite request I'd appreciate it if you smiled
Elena
Ramón, I'd appreciate it if you smiled. There's a queue.
Ramón, le agradecería que sonriera. Hay cola.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Ramón, (blank). There's a queue.
Options: One lady thanked me for appearing · Reproached me for not having married you · I'd appreciate it if you smiled
Show answer
Elena
Ramón, I'd appreciate it if you smiled. There's a queue.
Ramón, le agradecería que sonriera. Hay cola.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| thanks | one lady thanked me for appearing |
|---|---|
| a reproach, earlier action | reproached me for not having married you |
| an accusation | he accused me of being uglier |
| a resentful reaction | I resent being drawn without permission |
| a polite request | I'd appreciate it if you smiled |
More lines from the story
- RamónElena, I've been signing for two hours. And people tell me the strangest things...Elena, llevo dos horas firmando. Y la gente me dice cada cosa...