- Do you ever wonder if you’re using “report” correctly in different situations?
- Are you unsure which prepositions to use after “report,” or whether it’s a verb or a noun?
- Do you want to sound more natural and fluent when talking about news, incidents, or official documents?
Mastering collocations, which are words that naturally go together, is a cornerstone of achieving fluency in English. Instead of thinking word by word, learning collocations for a word like “report” helps you build natural phrases, making your speech and writing more authentic and reducing common errors. Let’s dive into how English speakers truly use “report”!
Common Collocations with REPORT as a Verb
As a verb, “report” means to give an account of something, either officially or informally. It’s often followed by a noun or a prepositional phrase.
Reporting Incidents, Problems, or Facts
- report an incident/accident/crime: To officially inform someone about an event.
Example: “The witness quickly reported the incident to the police.”
- report a problem/issue/fault: To inform someone about a difficulty or malfunction.
Example: “Employees are encouraged to report any IT issues immediately.”
- report findings/results: To share the discoveries or outcomes of an investigation or study.
Example: “The scientists will report their findings at the conference next month.”
- report news/a story: To broadcast or publish information about events.
Example: “Journalists are busy reporting the latest news from the capital.”
Reporting Status or Location
- report for duty/work: To arrive at a place ready to begin work, especially in a formal or military context.
Example: “New recruits must report for duty at 06:00 sharp.”
- report to someone (e.g., a manager): To be officially accountable to a particular person in an organization.
Example: “As a junior editor, she reports directly to the head of the department.”
- report back (to someone): To return and give information or an update.
Example: “Go investigate the situation and report back to me by lunchtime.”
- report missing: To declare that someone or something is lost and cannot be found.
Example: “The family reported their pet missing after it didn’t come home for two days.”
Reporting On a Topic
- report on (a topic/event): To give information about something, often after an investigation or observation.
Example: “The documentary reports on the impact of climate change in coastal regions.”
Essential Collocations using REPORT as a Noun
As a noun, “report” refers to a spoken or written account of something. It often appears with adjectives, verbs, or prepositions.
Types of Reports (Adjective + Report)
- a detailed report: A report with a lot of specific information.
Example: “We need a detailed report on the project’s progress.”
- a comprehensive report: A report covering all aspects of a topic.
Example: “The government published a comprehensive report on healthcare reforms.”
- an official report: A report issued by an authority or organization.
Example: “According to the official report, the cause of the fire was electrical.”
- a preliminary report: An initial report, often incomplete or subject to change.
Example: “The police released a preliminary report hours after the incident.”
- a financial report: A document detailing the financial performance of an entity.
Example: “Investors eagerly awaited the company’s annual financial report.”
- a progress report: A report detailing advancements made on a project or task.
Example: “Please submit your weekly progress report by Friday.”
- a news report: An account of current events broadcast or published.
Example: “I heard the latest updates on the ten o’clock news report.”
Actions You Take With Reports (Verb + Report)
- write a report: To produce a written document giving information.
Example: “The intern was asked to write a report on market trends.”
- submit a report: To formally hand in a report.
Example: “All staff must submit their expense reports by the end of the month.”
- prepare a report: To compile and organize information for a report.
Example: “The committee spent weeks preparing the report for the board meeting.”
- present a report: To formally deliver a report to an audience.
Example: “She will present her report on the project’s success to the stakeholders.”
- read a report: To examine the content of a report.
Example: “Have you had a chance to read the report on the feasibility study?”
- receive a report: To get a report that has been sent.
Example: “We received a report indicating strong sales for the quarter.”
- publish/release a report: To make a report publicly available.
Example: “The organization plans to publish a report on global poverty next spring.”
Prepositions with Report (Noun)
- a report on (a topic): The subject matter of the report.
Example: “The committee presented a report on the environmental impact of the new factory.”
- a report by (an author/entity): The person or group who created the report.
Example: “We reviewed a report by an independent consulting firm.”
The Master Summary Table: Essential Report Collocations
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| report an incident | Verb + Noun | Inform about an event |
| report for duty | Verb + Preposition | Arrive ready to work |
| report back | Verb + Adverb | Give an update |
| report to someone | Verb + Preposition | Be accountable to someone |
| report on (a topic) | Verb + Preposition | Give information about a topic |
| a detailed report | Adjective + Noun | A comprehensive document |
| write a report | Verb + Noun | Create a document |
| submit a report | Verb + Noun | Hand in a document formally |
| a progress report | Adjective + Noun | A document on progress |
| a financial report | Adjective + Noun | A document on finances |
| a report by (author) | Noun + Preposition | A document from a specific source |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
Avoid direct translation and learn phrases that sound natural to native speakers.
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| make a report (for a document) | write a report / prepare a report / submit a report |
| report about the situation | report on the situation / report the situation (as an incident) |
| give a report to work | report for work / report for duty |
| tell a report | give a report (when speaking) / present a report |
| the final report is complete | the final report is ready / the final report has been completed |
Yesterday was a busy day at the office. First, I had to report an issue with our new software to the IT department. Later, my manager asked me to prepare a detailed report on the project’s performance for the upcoming board meeting. I spent most of the afternoon gathering data so I could write a comprehensive report by the end of the week. I then had to report back to him with an update on my findings. Just before leaving, I saw a news report on TV about the local elections. It was a lot, but I feel good knowing I can confidently report on all these different tasks!
Frequently Asked Questions about Report Collocations
What are the most common prepositions used with “report”?
As a verb, “report” frequently uses ‘on’ when discussing a topic (e.g., “report on the economy”), ‘to’ when indicating a recipient (e.g., “report to the manager”), and ‘for’ in phrases like “report for duty.” As a noun, “a report on” specifies the subject, and “a report by” indicates the author.
Is it correct to say “make a report” in English?
While grammatically understandable, “make a report” is less common and often sounds less natural than alternatives, especially when referring to creating a document. Native speakers more commonly say “write a report,” “prepare a report,” “submit a report,” or “file a report.” “Make a report” is sometimes used informally, but it’s best to prefer the more precise options for clarity and fluency.
What’s the difference between “report” and “announce”?
Both involve sharing information, but “report” often implies a more formal, detailed, or investigative account, typically of an event, situation, or findings. “Announce” means to make something known publicly or officially, often a new plan, decision, or forthcoming event, usually with less detail. For example, a journalist reports the news, while a company announces a new product.
Can “report” be used to talk about academic grades or performance?
Yes, absolutely! In educational contexts, we often talk about a “school report” or “report card,” which is a formal document detailing a student’s grades, attendance, and progress. Teachers might also “report on a student’s progress” to their parents.
When should I use “report back”?
You use “report back” when someone leaves to gather information, complete a task, or assess a situation, with the expectation that they will return later to provide an update or summary to the person who sent them. It emphasizes the return journey and the subsequent delivery of information.
Are there any specific business contexts where 'report' collocations are super important? I work in project management and always want to sound professional.
Absolutely, Hiroshi! In project management, these collocations are crucial. You'll frequently 'report on progress,' 'report project status,' 'report an issue' to stakeholders, or 'report findings' from a risk assessment. Being precise with 'report' will definitely enhance your professional communication. Good luck!
I found the difference between reporting an 'incident' versus a 'problem' quite interesting. It helps me choose the right word depending on the severity. Thank you!
You've highlighted a key distinction, Olga! Understanding these subtle differences truly empowers you to communicate more precisely in English. 'Incident' often suggests a specific event, while 'problem' can be ongoing or a situation. Keep up the great work noticing these nuances!
This is great! It’s like a cheat sheet for sounding more native. I'll be trying to use 'report an issue' at work more often.
I used to say 'make a report an incident' which I know now is wrong because 'report' can be a verb itself. This article truly fixes my mistakes. Thank you for making it so clear!
You're not alone, Fatima! That's a very common error for English learners, especially when verbs can also be nouns. Understanding that 'report' can act as a verb that takes an object directly ('report an incident') rather than needing 'make a report' in that context is a huge step toward fluency. We're delighted to help you clarify these points!
Could you clarify the difference between 'report on a topic' vs. 'report about a topic'? Are they interchangeable in most cases?
Another excellent question, Kenji! While often interchangeable, there's a slight nuance. 'Report on a topic' usually implies a more formal, in-depth, or journalistic presentation of information (e.g., 'The documentary reported on climate change'). 'Report about a topic' can be slightly less formal and more general (e.g., 'He reported about his recent trip'). In many everyday contexts, however, they are quite similar, but 'report on' often suggests a more comprehensive treatment.
Such clear examples! This is making English feel less daunting. Thank you for this!
Do you plan to cover 'report' as a noun in a future article? My students often confuse 'make a report' with 'report something' (verb usage). That would be incredibly helpful!
Yes, David! We definitely plan to cover 'report' as a noun in a follow-up article, exploring collocations like 'make a report,' 'submit a report,' 'a financial report,' and so on. That's a very common point of confusion, and we appreciate you highlighting it. Stay tuned – it's on our content calendar!
So helpful for my academic writing! I always worry about using the right verbs and prepositions. 'Report findings' and 'report an issue' will be very useful phrases for my essays.
Is 'report back' considered a collocation with 'report' as a verb? For example, 'I'll investigate and report back to you.' Or is that more of a phrasal verb?
Absolutely, Aisha! 'Report back' is indeed a very common and useful phrasal verb involving 'report.' It means to return and give someone information about something, often after investigating or completing a task. Phrasal verbs are a type of collocation, so it definitely fits within the broader family of natural word pairings for 'report.' Great observation!
Always learn something new from your articles! This one cleared up so many doubts about 'report.' I often found myself hesitating before using it.