Category:English reporting verbs

This is a non-definitive list of English verbs commonly used for reporting spoken statements, questions, etc.


 * Some examples
 * 1) "I am a Frenchman" = He said he was a Frenchman. Where say is a reporting verb.
 * 2) "Where is the station?" = He asked where the station was. Where ask is a reporting verb.


 * Other types of reporting verbs give information about how the words were spoken, or the emotions transmitted.
 * 1) "Help me!" she cried.
 * 2) "Leave me alone", he growled.
 * 3) "It's so nice to see you again", she laughed.
 * 4) "I'm not sure all these examples are valid," he offered.


 * Still other types of reporting verbs are used to completely rephrase rather than restating.
 * 1) "Get out, now!" = We were ordered to leave.
 * 2) "Please take a seat." = He invited me to sit down.


 * A further category would be reporting verbs that refer to thinking.
 * 1) Thought: "I can afford to get that ring for her" = He reckoned that the ring would be an affordable a gift.