other words for says essay

10 Other Words for “Said” in an Essay

Including quotes in your essays shows that you’re sourcing your work. It’s, therefore, relatively easy to repeatedly write “said” when quoting things from other people.

You should find more interesting ways to quote things to spice up your writing.

This article has gathered some alternatives to show you more words to replace “said” in an essay.

Keep reading to learn other ways to say “said” in an essay. We’ve also provided examples for each to help you understand them better.

1. Explained

Naturally, using “said” before quoting someone is overdone and boring. But there are plenty of more exciting ways to talk about things people have mentioned before.

Let’s start with “explained.” You can use “explained” to quote someone’s explanation .

It shows you have reviewed how someone phrased something and would like to discuss it in your academic writing. This is great because it keeps the reader engaged and tries a different word.

You can also review these examples:

• Bob Taylor explained “my reasoning for this choice is simple, and I care very little for your expressions of rebellion.”
• I could not remember it at the time. But Mathew Fraser explained that “we are not the only ones fighting this.”

2. Mentioned

Another way to say “said” is “mentioned.” It’s a formal synonym that keeps things fresh when quoting information .

Generally, “mentioned” refers to less important information . If you “mention” something, it’s likely that it’s not the most important thing for a reader to pay attention to.

Of course, any mentioned information is still worth reading. However, this word is definitely better utilized when you don’t put much weight behind what you’re sharing.

Perhaps these essay samples will also help you:

• She mentioned that “wolves do not concern themselves with the opinion of sheep.” This created the movement as we know it today.
• Carla Hill mentioned “I will not back down from the challenge.” Hence, we watched what unfolded after.

3. Suggested

People make suggestions all the time. And, as it happens, you can use “suggested” as a formal way to say “said.”

“Suggested” works well when quoting people’s opinions . A suggestion often relates to an opinion rather than a fact, making it clear that you’re expressing how someone feels.

We recommend using it when you’re unsure of the validity of someone’s comment. It’s still useful in academic writing, but it lets readers know they should take the quote with a pinch of salt.

• Paul De Angelo suggested that “things can get better if we really try.” So, we have commenced a green initiative.
• He suggested that “we must continue doing things this way.” Needless to say, it helped people to understand what comes next.

Claims are common in essays. People claim things all the time to try and share facts and opinions. Generally, claims can be disproved (with a little bit of research and quality debating skills).

Therefore, “claimed” is an excellent alternative to “said.” You can use it in academic writing, as it shows you how to quote what someone said in an essay.

Generally, this phrase works best when sharing thoughts and ideas . You can always argue someone’s claim, so it’s a good way to set up contradicting points.

Also, these examples should clear things up:

• The Right Clan claimed that “we do not know what to say to the apostates.” It created a rebellion in their system.
• We are sure they claimed “this is the only way to complete the acts.” Therefore, we had to continue as noted.

5. Remarked

Feel free to try “remarked” as a formal way to say “said” in an essay. It’s highly effective in formal writing because it shows that someone made a statement relative to your essay’s content.

If you can find a way to relate someone’s quote to your writing, feel free to use this.

It allows the reader to follow your ideas and understand why you included certain quotes. That way, you can ensure that things make sense as you write about different points.

You can also review the following examples:

• Scott Hillary remarked that “we could not go through these waters.” It was a shame because it was the only way to progress.
• They both remarked that “good tidings would come to those who asked for them.” Is that a moral lesson?

Arguments make for more interesting essays. If you can include appropriate and relevant essays, you’re liable to get a much better grade from the reviewer.

Therefore, “argued” is a word you can use instead of “said” in an essay.

It allows you to quote someone’s opinion and argue a different viewpoint . This is a great way to set up a narrative and encourage the reader to develop their own ideas based on your opinions.

Here are a few essay examples to help you:

• Sam Smith argued that “the people are against his beliefs, but he will not yield.” It was quite a powerful moment.
• “This is the best choice you have,” argued King Langsford. It stopped the onslaught in its tracks.

7. Commented

When someone makes a comment, it means they’ve briefly shared a view . Therefore, “commented” allows you to replace “said” when sharing someone’s viewpoint or opinion.

Typically, “commented” doesn’t work for highly-valued information. It’s much better for minor details and comments made by important people in your writing.

Here are a few examples to help you with it:

• Mr. Sullivan commented “this is an excellent piece of creative writing.” Therefore, I think the book is worth publishing.
• Missy Adams commented that “we are not alone in this experience.” Take that as you will to determine what we must do.

Quotes are also called statements. Therefore, it would be silly not to include “stated” at least once in your academic writing.

It’s a direct and clear way to discuss what someone has said. This allows your readers to understand someone’s opinion and find out why they might have said something.

Also, including statements as quotes allows your reading to stand out. It shows you’ve sourced the information you’re writing about, ensuring that it’s correct.

You can also review these essay samples:

• Hillary Mathews stated “we have not set anything in stone. Things can change at any moment.” It set the plan in motion.
• We stated that “this was going to be the only choice.” We needed to highlight that before continuing with the project.

While it might not be a particularly common choice, there’s nothing wrong with writing “shared” instead of “said.” It works well in essays to give you something different to write .

We recommend using “shared” only once in an essay. It makes for a suitable replacement for “said” when sharing minor details or quotes from important people.

If you can make the quote relevant to your essay, then there’s no reason not to use “shared.” It’s just as effective as “said” and much less common, making it a more interesting word to include.

Here are a few examples to help you understand it:

• “This is the turning point,” Addison King shared . I think that’s why so many people took her so seriously.
• I do not know why they said it, but Shorts & Docs shared “the information that we must inspect is right before our eyes.”

10. Clarified

You may also use “clarified” in certain instances. It’s an excellent formal synonym for “said” that shows someone confirmed information .

Generally, “clarified” works before a quote sharing important information. It shows that you want to clarify something for the reader to avoid any confusion .

We highly recommend using it when sharing sensitive or important things in your writing. That way, the reader can keep up with your writing without losing track of your ideas.

Here are some examples to help you:

• Mathew Kirkland clarified “we will not have to fight these fights any longer.” It stopped the battle on the spot.
• Noel Apollo clarified that “things will only get worse before they get better.” We can now see what he meant by that.

Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here .

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