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

Representing vocal and emotional characteristics

500c

In written fictional styles, the reporting verb often indicates characteristics of the

way something was said (e.g. whether it was shouted or whispered), or something

about the emotional state of the original speaker (e.g. that they were angry or

excited). Using reporting verbs in this way in informal speech is extremely rare.

Verbs of this type include:

‘What fun!’ 

cried Camilla.

‘Amen,’ 

rumbled the men in answer.

‘Turn on the meter,’ I 

sighed.

‘No one dies here,’ 

snapped Aunt Agatha.

Adjuncts and reporting verbs

500d

It is also common in written literary style for adjuncts to modify the reporting verb

in order to indicate contextual features of the reported clause:

‘I don’t know what this country is coming to,’ she stated 

firmly.

‘Not much harm done,’ she added 

reassuringly.

‘I guess I’ll have to be looking after your mother now,’ he added 

with a kind of

feeble cheerfulness.

I was 

politely informed that he had left the building.