Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

Reporting verbs

422c

Speech act verbs are frequent in reports of speech acts. They may be more neutral

reporting acts involving verbs such as say, tell, ask, or more evaluative reports

involving verbs such as complain, moan, mumble:

‘You all right, Crom?’ 

‘Ooh, God, of course I’m not all right,’ he 

moaned. ‘I’ve never felt so ill in my

life. I think I’m going to die.’

708 | Speech acts

Cambridge Grammar of English

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‘… by the time he realises he’s walked into a trap, it’ll be too late for him to do

anything about it.’ 

‘I only wish I could be there to see it,’ Dennison 

sneered, and watched Amaya

cross to the door.

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also 489 Reporting verbs and 499 Reporting verbs and speech acts