It's helpful to use various verbs when introducing quoted material, reporting research findings, or writing about existing studies to provide context and indicate your stance or the stance of the original author. Here are lists of verbs for both purposes:
Verbs for Introducing Quoted Material:
These verbs are often used to signal that the words that follow are a direct quotation. The choice of verb can also subtly indicate your perception of the quote or the author's intent.
- States
- Writes
- Notes
- Comments
- Remarks
- Declares
- Observes
- Explains
- Reveals
- Expresses
- Mentions
- Points out
- Responds
- Adds
- Claims
- Argues
- Asserts
- Contends
- Insists
- Maintains
- Suggests
- According to [Author's Last Name],
- In the words of [Author's Last Name],
- As [Author's Last Name] puts it,
Verbs for Introducing Reported Findings of a Research Study or Writing about Existing Studies:
These verbs are used to present the results or conclusions drawn from a research study. They can indicate the nature of the finding (e.g., a strong conclusion, a suggestion, an observation) and your perspective on it.
- Found
- Observed
- Reported
- Demonstrated
- Indicated
- Showed
- Revealed
- Concluded
- Determined
- Analyzed
- Examined
- Investigated
- Identified
- Illustrated
- Noted
- Suggested
- Proposed
- Hypothesized (when introducing their hypothesis)
- Argued
- Asserted
- Claimed
- Contended
- Supported
- Corroborated
- Confirmed
- Validated
- Challenged
- Disputed
- Refuted
- Critique
