Grammar: Word classes: Verbs

Saying verbs

What are saying verbs?

Saying verbs are verbs such as say or ask which we typically use to report what someone said:

When dealing with language in the classroom, it is useful to be able to identify saying verbs because of the grammatical patterns which are associated with them. They are commonly used in the sorts of writing that students are expected to produce, especially stories.

If you would like some practice identifying saying verbs, click here:

Sometimes we use 'doing' verbs as saying verbs, especially in stories:

"Aaaah" yawned Bozo, "I think it is time for bed."
          saying verb

Compare this with the way yawn is used as a doing verb:

Bozo yawned and put away his books. "I think it is time for bed." he said.
        doing verb                                                                                                    saying verb

Saying verbs can be used in direct and indirect speech:

"This looks like a job for Granny Gong!" said Miss Lee. [direct speech]

Miss Lee said that it looked like a job for Granny Gong. [indirect speech]

Note that we use particular grammatical patterns with different saying verbs in indirect speech:

MegaMonster asked why he couldn't sleep.
MegaMonster said that he couldn't sleep.
MegaMonster told SleepStealer that he couldn't sleep.
MegaMonster spoke about not being able to sleep.

For more information, see:

	Grammar: Sentence: Quoting and reporting speech and thoughts: Overview
	Grammar: Clause: Using the clause to represent experience: The processes: 'What's happening?': 'Saying'

Saying verbs are commonly used in stories, particularly in the past simple.  

Here are some examples from the novel, Anne of Green Gables; the saying verbs are highlighted:

... "Oh, I can carry it, "the child responded cheerfully. "It isn't heavy."
... "I can't go through the Haunted Wood, Marilla," cried Anne desperately.
... "How is your mother?" inquired Anne politely.
... "What do you want?" she said stiffly.

For more information, see: 

	Text types: Stories: Quoting and reporting what people say
	Text types: Stories: Quoting and reporting thoughts and feelings
	Grammar: Groups & phrases: Verb group: Time & tense: Past simple