reports that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reports that" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to an outside source that has provided information on a given topic. For example, "The local news station reports that the city is expected to experience a light dusting of snow later in the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

(Reports that Matt Dillon was cast proved false).

The New York Times

Therefore, we selected reports that were published after 1990.

Surgical Case Reports

She reports that….

The New Yorker

Reports that Maj.

The New York Times

(There were reports that they married recently).

The New York Times

He reports that Sampath is crazy.

The New Yorker

(Rampersad reports that Ellison didn't respond).

The New Yorker

Darren Rovell reports that at ESPN.

The New York Times - Sports

Adam Nagourney reports that Govs.

The New York Times

He reports that both players were paid.

The Guardian - Sport

Burke reports that they are big tents.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reports that", ensure the source you're citing is credible and verifiable. This strengthens the validity of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "reports that" excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "states", "indicates", or "notes" to improve readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reports that" functions as a reporting verb phrase, introducing a statement or piece of information attributed to a specific source. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage for relaying information. This construction helps to distinguish reported information from the writer's own claims.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reports that" is a very common and grammatically sound way to attribute information to a source. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's used across various contexts, predominantly in news and media, but also in science and business. To maintain writing quality, vary usage with alternatives like "states", "indicates", or "notes". Remember to always cite credible sources when using "reports that" to strengthen your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indicates that

Changes the verb to 'indicates', implying a more suggestive rather than direct reporting.

states that

Replaces "reports" with "states", suggesting a formal declaration.

reveals that

Uses "reveals" to imply the information was previously unknown or hidden.

confirms that

Suggests the information reinforces existing knowledge or suspicions.

notes that

Implies a more understated observation or mention of a fact.

mentions that

Similar to "notes that", but can imply a briefer or less emphasized reference.

claims that

Suggests the information may be disputed or unverified.

alleges that

Similar to "claims that", but often used in a legal or accusatory context.

suggests that

Presents the information as a possibility or hypothesis rather than a certainty.

observes that

Emphasizes the act of noticing or witnessing something.

FAQs

How do I use "reports that" in a sentence?

Use "reports that" to introduce information obtained from an external source. For example, "The news "reports that" the storm is expected to intensify."

What's a good alternative to "reports that"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "states that", "indicates that", or "notes that" as alternatives to "reports that".

Is it better to use "reports that" or "reported that"?

The choice between "reports that" and "reported that" depends on the tense you want to convey. "Reports that" is used for present tense or habitual reporting, while "reported that" is used for past tense reporting.

When should I avoid using "reports that"?

Avoid using "reports that" when the source is unreliable or when you want to present information as your own conclusion. In such cases, consider using phrases that reflect your own analysis or findings.