From time to time I see it reported that I have “admitted” to this or that. And that prompts me to write a brief review of a basic item of journalism.
To get across that someone has said something, the most highly esteemed neutral verb is the simple word said. It’s short, clear, and free from bias.
But you can choose from many alternatives.
Each word offers its own shade and color, vivid or subtle, and its own implications.
- “This is my house,” he confirmed. (It’s definite.)
- “This is my house,” he claimed. (Oh, yeah? Good chance it's not true.)
- “This is my house,” he bragged. (The egotist! So proud!)
- “This is my house,” he admitted. (Something is wrong with it.)
- “This is my house,” he blurted out. (He lost control of himself.)
- “This is my house,” he warned. (Watch out for trouble.)
- “This is my house,” he drawled. (Could be a redneck.)
- “This is my house,” he snarled. (Really nasty. Watch out for the fangs!)
- “This is my house,” he said. (Neutral.)
When you read a news magazine, how do the writers get into your head not only what happened but what you should think of it? One way is how they spin their verbs.
- “That’s just the way it is,” the President quipped.
- “That’s just the way it is,” the President snarled.
Big difference.
I’m all for color in verbs. But as readers we should be quick to see when someone’s using a verb to spin the facts–and our heads. Next time you see an admitted, try swapping it for said and reading the sentence again.
