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.