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Vincent Teo Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Reported to the police

Can I say,

(a) He reported to the police.

(b) He reported the incident to the police.
  

Top answer

(a) He reported to the police. -- This means that he presented himself to the police (for example, he went to a police station to answer questions). It could also mean that, in his work, he was accountable to the police, or produced a written report for them.

— Mr Wordy

  • (a) He reported to the police.
  • -- This means that he presented himself to the police (for example, he went to a police station to answer questions).
  • It could also mean that, in his work, he was accountable to the police, or produced a written report for them.
  • You can't really use this form of words to mean "He reported an incident".
  • (b) He reported the incident to the police.
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1 Answers
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(a) He reported to the police. -- This means that he presented himself to the police (for example, he went to a police station to answer questions). It could also mean that, in his work, he was accountable to the police, or produced a written report for them. You can't really use this form of words to mean "He reported an incident".



(b) He reported the incident to the police. -
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