This writers’ handout was designed to accompany one of WritingFix’s on-line, interactive writing prompts. ©2006 Northern Nevada Writing Project. All rights reserved.      This resource comes from the best website for writers and writing teachers: http//writingfix.com and http://writingfix.org. Use of this document in the classroom is encouraged and supported. Others must request permission from the website to reproduce.      This handout is featured in the NNWP’s “Going Deep with 6 Trait Language” print guide. Visit http://nnwp.org Synonyms for Said Don’t just use said. Balance your dialogue verbs between said and its synonyms.
accused	chimed in	explained	maintained	ranted	speculated
acknowledged	choked		marveled	reasoned	spoke
addressed	chortled	finished	mentioned	reassured	sputtered
admitted	chorused	fretted	mimicked	recalled	squeaked
advised	chuckled		moaned	reckoned	stammered
affirmed	claimed	gasped	mumbled	related	started
agreed	clucked	giggled	murmured	remarked	stated
announced	coaxed	greeted	mused	remembered	stormed
answered	commanded	groaned	muttered	reminded	stuttered
approved	commented	growled		repeated	suggested
argued	complained	grumbled	nagged	replied	surmised
asked	conceded	grunted	nodded	reported
asserted	concluded	guessed	noted	requested	taunted
assured	confessed	gulped		responded	teased
avowed	confided	gurgled	objected	retorted	tempted
	congratulated		observed	revealed	tested
babbled	continued	hinted	offered	roared	theorized
barked	convinced	hissed	ordered		threatened
bawled	corrected	hollered		sang	told
beamed	coughed	hypothesized	panted	sassed
begged	cried		piped	screamed	urged
bellowed	croaked	imitated	pleaded	scolded	uttered
bleated	crowed	implied	pointed out	shouted
blurted		informed	pondered	shrieked	volunteered
boasted	dared	inquired	praised	shrilled	vowed
boomed	decided	insisted	prayed	sighed
bragged	declared	interjected	proclaimed	smiled	wailed
broke in	demanded	interrupted	promised	smirked	warned
bubbled	denied		proposed	snapped	wept
bugged	described	jeered	protested	snarled	whimpered
	disagreed	jested	put in	sneered	whined
called	disclosed	joked	puzzled	sneezed	whispered
cautioned	divulged			snickered	wondered
chatted	drawled	laughed	quavered	sniffed	worried
chattered		lied	questioned	sniffled
cheered	echoed	lisped	quipped	snorted	yawned
chided	exclaimed	quoted		sobbed	yakked
Don’t misunderstand this lesson! Said is an important verb! There are times when it makes sense to use it. Other times, it’s a good idea to choose a synonym instead of said. When might you choose to use said as your verb? When might you choose to use one if its synonyms? A good writer makes good choices, often balancing his/her use of verbs.      Look at some of your favorite novels and short stories to help you think about this. Look at newspaper and magazine articles. Who is using said and who isn’t?