Section 1 — The News Grammar focus

Session 3 Grammar: Reporting verbs and attribution

In English journalism, the verb you use to attribute a statement tells readers how much to trust it — and whose side the journalist is on.

Grammar Focus

[Source] + [reporting verb] + [that + clause] / [Source] + [reporting verb] + [quote]

Reporting verbs carry different degrees of epistemic weight (how certain or credible the information is). 'Said' is neutral and factual. 'Claimed' suggests the journalist doubts it. 'Alleged' indicates the claim is unproven. 'Confirmed' means the journalist accepts it as verified. 'Denied' signals a prior accusation. Choosing the right reporting verb — or noticing which one a journalist chose — is a key analytical skill.

"The minister said the economy was improving." (Neutral attribution)

"The opposition claimed the government had misled parliament." (Implies doubt or dispute)

"He allegedly received payments from the lobbying firm." (Unproven accusation — legal protection)

"The company denied any involvement in the leak." (Implies there is an accusation to deny)

"The scientist confirmed that the drug had passed clinical trials." (Verified, accepted as true)

"The president argued that the sanctions were working." (Presents this as a debatable position)

Variations to practice

warned suggested insisted admitted conceded revealed disclosed acknowledged emphasized maintained