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Mentee Posted 14 years ago
Vocabulary

Please provide a list of verbs used for Direct Speech

I wish to know the set of verbs permissible in Direct Speech apart from the most commonly used verbs 'say' and 'tell'. Most resources on the internet, which I came across, only explain either Direct and Indirect Speech or verbs used in Indirect(Reported) Speech.
  

Top answer

There is no list: there are too many. " Jekyll grated. "Don't be such a fool, Jekyll," Utterson exclaimed.

— Mister Micawber

  • There is no list: there are too many.
  • " Jekyll grated.
  • "Don't be such a fool, Jekyll," Utterson exclaimed.
  • " she shouted.
  • " Shayna gasped.
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2 Answers
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There is no list: there are too many. Writers (especially bad ones) stretch the range of such verbs to breaking point:

"Put down the gun, Utterson!" Jekyll grated.
"Don't be such a fool, Jekyll," Utterson exclaimed.
"Put it down!" she shouted.
"Give it back," he pleaded, "it's mine."
"Never stop kissing me!" S
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Thanks a lot, Mister Micawber. I was able to find many articles on 'dialogue attribution' from the valuable reference you have provided. I am 'starting' to get a grasp on what you said about verbs being stretched to breaking point.
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