English grammar
Reporting how it was said: hint, imply, make out, qualify, point out, claim
Report not just what someone said, but how they said it.
From the scene He hinted that…
In short
Use the reporting verb that shows how it was said: hint or imply (indirect), make out or claim (doubtful), qualify, point out.
Your turn
Which one goes with suggesting (the speaker implies)?
Options: he hinted that the idea had been his · he made out that you only did the drawings · he implied it
Show answer
suggesting (the speaker implies) → he implied it
How it works
Some reporting verbs show how something was said. Hint (that) and imply (that) mean suggesting it without saying it outright; the listener is the one who infers it.
Good to know
Make out (that) presents something doubtful as true, and claim (that) reports a statement you may not believe.
Good to know
Qualify means adding a limit to what you said, and point out (that) draws attention to a fact.
suggesting, not saying he hinted that the idea had been his
Javi
He didn't say it outright. He hinted that the idea had been his.
No lo dijo claro. Insinuó que la idea había sido suya.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
He didn't say it outright. (blank).
Options: He made out that you only did the drawings · He hinted that the idea had been his · He implied it
Show answer
Javi
He didn't say it outright. He hinted that the idea had been his.
No lo dijo claro. Insinuó que la idea había sido suya.
suggesting (the speaker implies) he implied it
Elena
He implied it? That's worse than saying it!
¿Lo insinuó? ¡Eso es peor que decirlo!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank)? That's worse than saying it!
Options: He hinted that the idea had been his · He made out that you only did the drawings · He implied it
Show answer
Elena
He implied it? That's worse than saying it!
¿Lo insinuó? ¡Eso es peor que decirlo!
presenting it as true he made out that you only did the drawings
Javi
And he made out that you only did the drawings.
Y dio a entender que tú solo hacías los dibujos.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And (blank).
Options: he implied it · he made out that you only did the drawings · he hinted that the idea had been his
Show answer
Javi
And he made out that you only did the drawings.
Y dio a entender que tú solo hacías los dibujos.
adding a limit he qualified it
Your turn
What goes with he qualified it?
Options: suggesting, not saying · suggesting (the speaker implies) · adding a limit
Show answer
he qualified it → adding a limit
a statement you doubt he claimed he'd never met
Javi
He claimed he'd never met the woman who did the drawings.
Alegó que no conocía a la autora de los dibujos.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) the woman who did the drawings.
Options: He implied it · He claimed he'd never met · He hinted that the idea had been his
Show answer
Javi
He claimed he'd never met the woman who did the drawings.
Alegó que no conocía a la autora de los dibujos.
Common mistake
Not inferred or implicated here. Borja is the speaker.
He implied it? That's worse than saying it!
¿Lo insinuó? ¡Eso es peor que decirlo!
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
| suggesting, not saying | he hinted that the idea had been his |
|---|---|
| suggesting (the speaker implies) | he implied it |
| presenting it as true | he made out that you only did the drawings |
| adding a limit | he qualified it |
| a statement you doubt | he claimed he'd never met |
More lines from the story
- JaviNuria, Borja has just launched the series at the big stand.Nuria, Borja acaba de presentar la colección en la caseta grande.
- NuriaOnly the drawings? I wrote the proposal myself!¿Solo los dibujos? ¡Si la propuesta la escribí yo!