Using indirect speech to report words and ideas
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Common reporting verbs | page 6 of 7 |
Using other reporting verbs
Apart from say, tell, speak, and talk, students also need to learn a range of other reporting verbs.
Reporting verbs that indicate the speaker's purpose
These are verbs that tell us why someone has said or written something:
He explained that the water is pure. (SCMP 4/6/94)
Ali allegedly answered that it was heroin. (SCMP 4/8/92)
They complained that they couldn't sleep. (Bank of English)
Other similar verbs include: 
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Reporting verbs that indicate the reporter's attitude
These are verbs that tell us the reporter's attitude towards what he or she reports:
He admitted that a further increase could be necessary.
(Microconcord Corpus A)He pointed out that the reporting scheme was essential.
(SCMP 2/6/92)
The verbs admit and point out show that the reporter believes in the
truth of what is reported. Other similar reporting verbs include:
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Now consider the reporting verbs claim and allege, as in:
He claimed that he acted only as driver of the getaway car. (SCMP 15/7/92)
Several times he alleged that Michael was corrupt. (SCMP 18/9/92)
The verbs claim and allege show that the reporter has doubt about the
truth of what is reported. Other similar reporting verbs include:
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Introduction
Using other reporting verbs
