Hands Which Cannot Write

Some alternatives for 'said'

— Neinhart Alcazar

Analyze.

   "Drink all of this," he said.

   Focus on the word "said". Kadalasan, ginagamit natin ito kapag nagsasalita lang yung tao "normally", right?

Example:

   "The sun is bright," he said.

But since the first sentence isn't normal—more like, commanding. So the word, "commanded" should've been more appropriate.

   "Drink all of this," he commanded.

   See? Kailangan nating gumamit ng mga salita na babagay sa sitwasyon ng dialogue. Here's a list of some examples of those words based on the feeling it arouse:

Normally?
   stated, spoke, remarked, reported
   added — kung nagsalita ulit siya nang magkasunod, o may idinagdag

As a question?
   asked, inquired, requested
   begged — if in a desperate situation

As an answer?
   answered, replied, responded, acknowledged
   explained — kung may ipinapaliwanag

Happily?
   rejoiced, laughed, joked, giggled, cheered, marveled, smirked, chimed, beamed

Loudly?
   shouted, belted, yelled, screamed, exclaimed, boomed
   called — kapag tinatawag; can be used in normal voice

Full of worry?
   quaked, trembled, stammered, stuttered, gulped

Angrily?
   demanded, hissed, fumed, thundered, snapped, sneered, barked, ranted, grunted, roared, bellowed

Bossily?
   commanded, ordered, dictated, insisted

Sadly?
   cried, sobbed, groaned, hawled, whined

Quietly?
   mumbled, whispered, muttered

Silently?
   pondered, wondered, thought

READ!

Still, the definitions of these words are not the same. The words under it are only based on the feeling that it arises. They may differ in intensities, the way the action is done, and the like. Please check your dictionaries first before using that specific word.

Again, magkakaiba po sila ng kahulugan. Kumbaga kapag lumipat ka sa Thesaurus tab ng Merriam-Webster, sa synonyms ito nakalagay.