Using direct speech to quote words and ideas
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Overview | page 2 of 3 |
Using reporting verbs in direct speech
Direct speech is not used as frequently as indirect speech because people do not usually remember the exact words that someone has said or written.
When direct speech occurs in conversation, the reporting verb say is almost
always used 
.
When direct speech occurs in written texts, many other reporting verbs can be used as
well, for example, cry , exclaim , explain , murmur , suggest .
Note that while say is a neutral reporting verb, other reporting verbs are
non-neutral 
.
Introduction
Using reporting verbs in direct speech
