Reporting verbs

When introducing references into the text (citing) you should choose suitable 'reporting' verbs as these can:

• strengthen the arguments you are presenting
• help the reader understand why the source is relevant.

Some verbs are neutral:

• Smith (2004) describes...
• Jones (1999, p 3) states...
• Green (2002) defines...

Some verbs draw attention to the author's viewpoint:

• Harris (2001) argues...
• O'Neill (1997) disputed...
• Jackson (2003) conceded...

Some verbs give information about the author's work:

• Holmes (2000) investigated...
• Church (1998) evaluated...
• McColl (2002) estimated...

Some verbs highlight the author's viewpoint:

• Brown (2001) believes...
• McAllister (1996) recognised...
• Smith (2004) predicted...

Other useful reporting verbs (use present or past tense as appropriate)

• analyse/analysed
• compares/compared
• comments/commented
• concludes/concluded
• criticises/criticised
• demonstrates/demonstrated
• discusses/discussed
• illustrates/illustrated
• indicates/indicated
• notes/noted
• observes/observed
• points out/pointed out
• reports/reported
• shows/showed
• suggests/suggested
• validates/validated
• verifies/verified

Next: Avoiding plagiarism

Updated: 28 October, 2008 | Effective Learning Service | Legal