Understanding Saying Verbs: A Guide to Reporting Speech for All Ages

What are Saying Verbs?

Saying verbs are verbs that describe how someone says something. They are used to report speech and can show the tone, manner, or attitude of the speaker.

Common Saying Verbs

• Say – the most basic verb for reporting speech (e.g., He said hello.)
• Tell – usually followed by a person or indirect object (e.g., She told me a story.)
• Ask – used when a question is asked (e.g., He asked where she was.)
• Shout or Yell – indicate loud speech (e.g., She shouted for help.)
• Whisper – soft, quiet speech (e.g., He whispered a secret.)
• Reply or Answer – to respond (e.g., They replied quickly.)

Why Use Saying Verbs?

Using different saying verbs helps your writing by:

• Showing how something is said (tone/mood)
• Making your dialogue more interesting and expressive
• Providing clarity on who is speaking and how they speak

Examples

Basic: She said, "I am coming."
More descriptive: She whispered, "I am coming."

Both sentences report the same speech, but the second one shows the speaker is speaking quietly.

Summary

In short, saying verbs are essential tools in writing and speaking to explain how something is said. By choosing suitable verbs, you can make your stories and conversations livelier and clearer.