English grammar
Reporting with nouns: her refusal to sign, his intention to launch, her promise to…, declined to comment
Understand and use the noun-based reporting of the press.
From the scene Her refusal to sign
In short
News reports often use a noun instead of a verb: her refusal to sign, his intention to launch, her promise to….
Your turn
Which one goes with he intends to launch it?
Options: her refusal to sign · her promise to spring a surprise · his intention to launch the series
Show answer
he intends to launch it → his intention to launch the series
How it works
The press often reports with a noun instead of a verb: her refusal to sign means she refuses to sign.
Good to know
Most of these nouns take to + verb: refusal to, intention to, promise to, decision to.
Good to know
A few take a preposition and -ing instead, such as insistence on signing.
Good to know
Declined to comment is the standard press phrase for someone who said nothing.
she refuses to sign her refusal to sign
Ramón
"The author Elena maintains her refusal to sign the marketing catalogue."
"La autora Elena mantiene su negativa a firmar el catálogo de marketing."
Your turn
What fills the gap?
"The author Elena maintains (blank) the marketing catalogue."
Options: his intention to launch the series · her promise to spring a surprise · her refusal to sign
Show answer
Ramón
"The author Elena maintains her refusal to sign the marketing catalogue."
"La autora Elena mantiene su negativa a firmar el catálogo de marketing."
he intends to launch it his intention to launch the series
Ramón
"Speaking to this paper, Borja reaffirmed his intention to launch the series."
"En declaraciones a este diario, Borja reiteró su intención de lanzar la colección."
Your turn
What fills the gap?
"Speaking to this paper, Borja reaffirmed (blank)."
Options: his intention to launch the series · her refusal to sign · her promise to spring a surprise
Show answer
Ramón
"Speaking to this paper, Borja reaffirmed his intention to launch the series."
"En declaraciones a este diario, Borja reiteró su intención de lanzar la colección."
she promised to her promise to spring a surprise
Ramón
"Tomorrow the author will keep her promise to spring a surprise."
"La autora cumplirá mañana su promesa de dar una sorpresa."
Your turn
What fills the gap?
"Tomorrow the author will keep (blank)."
Options: his intention to launch the series · her promise to spring a surprise · her refusal to sign
Show answer
Ramón
"Tomorrow the author will keep her promise to spring a surprise."
"La autora cumplirá mañana su promesa de dar una sorpresa."
talking to a newspaper speaking to this paper
Ramón
"Speaking to this paper, Borja reaffirmed his intention to launch the series."
"En declaraciones a este diario, Borja reiteró su intención de lanzar la colección."
Your turn
What fills the gap?
"(blank), Borja reaffirmed his intention to launch the series."
Options: Speaking to this paper · Her refusal to sign · Her promise to spring a surprise
Show answer
Ramón
"Speaking to this paper, Borja reaffirmed his intention to launch the series."
"En declaraciones a este diario, Borja reiteró su intención de lanzar la colección."
said nothing declined to comment
Ramón
"And the editor, Montse Ferrer, declined to comment."
"Y la editora, Montse Ferrer, evitó hacer declaraciones."
Your turn
What fills the gap?
"And the editor, Montse Ferrer, (blank)."
Options: declined to comment · her refusal to sign · his intention to launch the series
Show answer
Ramón
"And the editor, Montse Ferrer, declined to comment."
"Y la editora, Montse Ferrer, evitó hacer declaraciones."
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
| she refuses to sign | her refusal to sign |
|---|---|
| he intends to launch it | his intention to launch the series |
| she promised to | her promise to spring a surprise |
| talking to a newspaper | speaking to this paper |
| said nothing | declined to comment |
More lines from the story
- RamónIt's in the paper. The culture section.Ha salido en el periódico. Sección de cultura.
- ElenaFlatly. That catalogue has Borja's name on it.Rotundamente. Ese catálogo lleva el nombre de Borja.