7.71 referring to the hearer

After some reporting verbs that refer to speech, you have to mention the hearer as a direct object. 'Tell' is the most common of these verbs.

• I told them you were at the dentist.
• I informed her that I was unwell and could not come.
• Smith persuaded them that they must support the strike.

You can use these verbs in the passive, with the hearer as the subject.

• She had been told she could leave hospital.
• Members had been informed that the purpose of the meeting was to elect a new chairman.
• She was persuaded to look again.

Here is a list of reporting verbs which must have the hearer as the direct object when they are used with a 'that'-clause:

• assure, convince, inform, notify, persuade, reassure, remind, tell

Here is a list of reporting verbs which must have the hearer as the direct object when they are used with a 'to'-infinitive clause:

• advise, beg, command, forbid, instruct, invite, order, persuade, remind, teach, tell, urge, warn