reportverb

A report verb is a verb used to introduce or report speech or thought. These verbs are common in direct and indirect speech to indicate who said or thought something, and often to convey the manner of speaking or thinking. Examples include said, told, asked, replied, shouted, whispered, thought, believed, and suggested.

When used in direct speech, a report verb typically precedes or follows the quoted words, often separated by a comma. For instance, "She said, 'I am tired.'" or "'I am tired,' she said." In indirect speech, the report verb introduces a subordinate clause that paraphrases the original statement or question. An example would be, "She said that she was tired." The tense of the report verb can influence the tense of the verb in the reported clause, a phenomenon known as backshifting.

Report verbs can also imply the speaker's attitude or emotion. For example, "screamed" suggests a loud, frightened, or angry utterance, while "mumbled" indicates quiet, unclear speech. The choice of report verb thus adds nuance and detail to the narrative. Beyond speech, report verbs can also introduce reported thoughts or beliefs, such as "He believed the story" or "She wondered what would happen next." The function of report verbs is crucial for constructing dialogue and conveying information accurately in written and spoken language.