Suitable for upper-intermediate CEFR B2+
#EAP #AcademicEnglish #AcademicWriting #IELTSwriting
We use reporting verbs to write about what someone else has already said or discovered. In this post I will introduce some of the most common reporting verbs used in academic writing. Although they are all reporting verbs, some of the words have slightly different meanings and they have been grouped in the table below according to their function.
| Present beliefs or concepts | Neutral/ summarising | Present findings | Critique | |
| hypothesises | maintains | describes | concludes | questions |
| proposes | declares | observes | pinpoints | contends |
| suggests | implies | summarises | demonstrates | rejects |
| claims | stresses | explains | illustrates | casts doubt on |
| argues | states | notes | highlights | reveals |
| assumes | mentions | explores | shows | alleges |
| asserts | emphasises | provides evidence | points out | exaggerates |
Remember that the verb ending will change according to the grammar of the sentence. The verbs here are listed in present simple but you may wish to choose another appropriate tense in your writing.
Activity 1
Match the reporting verb with the correct meaning.
1. Explains a. indicates the source (writer or researcher) disagrees with something.
2. Notes b. indicates that the source has presented something as a fact.
3. Suggests c. indicates that the source gives details about how or why something happens.
4. Claims d. indicates the source talks about something briefly.
5. Rejects e. indicates the presence of an opposing view.
6. Argues f. indicates the source has presented something as a fact that might not be a fact.
7. Emphasises g. indicates that the source's most important point or idea.
8. Assumes h. indicates that the source says something indirectly.
9. States I. indicates that the source has an idea they strongly believe to be true.
10. Implies j. indicates that the source has an idea they think might possibly be true.
Activity 2
Complete the sentences with an appropriate reporting verb from the table above.
1. Smith (2010) ___________ previous research in the field.
2. Adamson (2003) ___________ that all teachers are influenced by their students.
3. Tomlins (2017) ____________ how differences in methodology can influence research findings.
4. Crouch et al. (2014) ____________ an association between genes and heart disease.
5. Edwards (2018) ____________ the importance of taking a pragmatic approach.
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