LIBRARY AND LEARNING SERVICES |REPORTING VERBS

www2.eit.ac.nz/library/ls_guides_reportingverbs.html

Reporting Verbs:
Words instead of say or write
In academic writing, we need to refer to the research and ideas of
others. We can express an opinion about the research by choosing
an appropriate reporting verb, and these can range in strength, from
negative, through neutral to expressing a strong opinion. These are
alternatives to the words said and wrote. Below is a list of some
reporting verbs you may find useful. Bear in mind that no two words
are exactly the same, and you need to consider the nuances of
meaning when you make your choice, ensuring you give an accurate
interpretation to the writers ideas and intentions, and indicate your
attitude to the idea. Depending on the tense used in your assignment,
reporting verbs can be in either the past or present tense, and the
structure of the sentence may vary according to the reporting verb
you choose.
Have a look at the examples below to give you some ideas (note the change in tense):
Smith (2013) reasoned that communication skills are essential to building effective nurse-patient
relationships.
In her presentation, Smith (2013) acknowledges communication skills are essential
Smith (2013) emphasised that communication skills are essential .
In her presentation, Smith (2013) challenges the claim that communication skills are
Brown (2013) concurred that communication skills are essential to building...
In her study on building effective nurse-student relationships, Brown (2013) endorsed the idea
that communication skills are essential.
Brown (2013) casts doubt on the value of communications skill as being essential to building
Brown (2013) highlighted the importance of communication skills in building
Brown (2013) rebuffed the idea that communication skills are essential to
Want more information?

974 8000 ext 6045

twist@eit.ac.nz

ACADEMIC AND STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES | REPORTING VERBS

The following list gives you some choices, classified according to their strength. However, do not feel
bound by this classification; rather choose the most appropriate word for the context. Add more words
which you may find useful. Please note that the list has been given in the present tense; you may need
to change the tense to the past.
Neutral
Usually to present the facts

discuss
examine
analyse
define
describe
echo
find
note
outline
present
reflect
report
state
unpack
observe
comment
explain
allege
study
point out
consider
mention

Tentative
More speculative, not absolutely
certain
question
maintain
claim
reason
postulate
inquire
suggest
propose
imply
intimate
put forward
identify
speculate
theorise
suppose
recommend
take into consideration
hypothesise
assume
develop

Strong
Making a strong argument,
either positive or negative
Positive
Negative
add
disagree
agree
argue
affirm
cast doubt
contend
challenge
concur
disapprove
endorse
disprove
maintain
rebuff
point out
refute
prove
reject
reason
counter
reveal
show
stress
support
prove
clarify
contribute
determine
claim
stress
believe
emphasise
highlight

References
Wong-Toi, G., & Bartlett-Trafford, J. (2009). The business of writing: Written communication skills

for business students (3rd ed.). Auckland, New Zealand: Pearson Education New Zealand.
Sharpling, G. (2012). Reporting verbs. Retrieved from

http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/al/learning_english/leap/grammar/reporting verbs/
International Student Centre, Johnston, M. (n.d.). Writing at the University of Toronto: Verbs for

referring to sources. Retrieved from
http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/english-as-a-second-language/referring-to-sources