Dialogue Tags: 60 Other Ways to Say “Said”

Effective dialogue tags are a powerful tool in a writer’s arsenal, helping to bring characters and conversations to life. While the trusty old “said” remains the clearest, least intrusive option, there are countless other options to explore. 

If you proofread or edit creative writing, you’ve probably encountered manuscripts overloaded with “said.” Today, we’ll show you 60 other ways to say “said” in dialogue and explain how you can help your creative writing clients vary their dialogue tags without distracting the reader.

In this post, you’ll learn:

• The definition of dialogue tags
• Why dialogue tags are important
• How to use dialogue tags effectively
• When to use “said,” and when not to
• 60 other creative ways to say “said”

What Is a Dialogue Tag?

Before we explore alternatives to “said,” let’s first clarify what a dialogue tag is.

A dialogue tag is a word or phrase that tells readers who is speaking and, when relevant, how something is spoken. At its simplest, the tag can be a single verb – “said,” “asked,” “replied” – but it may also include adverbs or descriptive phrases (e.g., “whispered softly,” “snapped in frustration”).

A dialogue tag can appear before, between, or after a line of direct speech. The placement determines the surrounding punctuation:

Dialogue Tag Position	Punctuation Rule	Example: US English	Example: UK English
Before the dialogue	Add a comma after the tag	Marc said, “I’m always here for you.”	Marc said, ‘I’m always here for you.’
Between parts of the dialogue	Comma inside the closing quote before the tag; comma after the tag	“I’m sorry,” said William, “but I can’t come tonight.”	‘I’m sorry,’ said William, ‘but I can’t come tonight.’
After dialogue ending with a period	End-of-sentence period becomes a comma inside the quote; period closes the sentence after the tag	“I’m going to the store to buy some milk,” Hailey said.	‘I’m going to the shop to buy some milk,’ Hailey said.
After dialogue ending with a question mark, exclamation point, dash, or ellipsis	Do not add a comma before the closing quotation mark, as these marks can stand alone atthe end of dialogue	“Can you believe this?” she asked. “Run faster!” Marcus yelled. “Wait for me—” he called, but the door had already slammed shut.	‘Can you believe this?’ she asked. ‘Run faster!’ Marcus yelled. Wait for me—’ he called, but the door had already slammed shut.
Tag first (inverted)	Capitalize the first word of the sentence because it precedes the dialogue	Sighing, she said, “Fine – let’s go.”	Sighing, she said, ‘Fine – let’s go.’

You’ll notice that US English uses double quotation marks for dialogue, while UK English typically uses single quotation marks. To learn more about these and other regional writing differences, check out our blog post UK English vs. US English Punctuation: Key Differences.

Why Are Dialogue Tags Important?

Dialogue tags may seem small, but they serve several essential functions in fiction and narrative writing:

• Clarity: Tags identify who is speaking, ensuring readers don’t lose track – especially during multi-character conversations. Without them, even a short dialogue exchange can become confusing.
  
• Rhythm and pacing: The placement and length of a tag can influence the flow of dialogue. A brief tag such as “he said” maintains momentum, while a longer one (“she said, lowering her voice”) can slow things down for dramatic effect.
  
• Structure and readability: Tags act as visual anchors within dialogue, breaking up continuous speech and making conversations easier to follow on the page
  
• Consistency and control: Even simple dialogue tags like “said” or “asked” keep the reader grounded in the conversation without pulling focus from the dialogue itself.

Now that we’ve covered what dialogue tags are and why they matter, let’s explore how to use them correctly.

How to Use Dialogue Tags

“Said” is the go-to dialogue tag for most situations. It’s simple, unobtrusive, and serves its purpose well. It’s so common, most people don’t even notice it’s there! However, there are times when using alternative tags – or no tag at all – can enhance a piece of dialogue.

When choosing a tag, think first about how your characters would speak. What is the scene’s context? What emotions are running through it? Most writers know the “show, don’t tell” rule when describing setting, but that principle applies just as powerfully to dialogue tags. Used well, they help a passage feel engaging and immersive.

Below are seven practical tips, each with examples.

1. Be Subtle

Tags exist to orient the reader, not to decorate every line. If only two characters are talking and their voices are distinct, you can often drop the second tag in a pair of exchanges.

Let’s look at an example where every line is tagged:

“Where are you going?” Ashley asked her sister, Melissa.

“I’m going on a date,” said Melissa.

“Who are you going with?” asked Ashley.

“Just a guy,” said Melissa. 

Now here’s a smoother version, with fewer tags:

“Where are you going?” Ashley asked her sister, Melissa.

“I’m going on a date,” said Melissa.

“With who?”

“Just a guy.” 

The characters are still clearly identified, but the exchange flows more naturally without repeated attributions.

2. Show, Don’t Tell

Instead of always using a dialogue tag, you can use an action beat – a brief physical action or reaction that tells us who’s speaking and hints at how they’re feeling.

Compare the two versions below. The first uses an adverb to explain tone:

“I hate spinach!” she said grumpily. 

The second version swaps the adverb for an action that shows the speaker’s mood:

 “I hate spinach!” She knitted her brows and folded her arms. 

The emotion comes through more vividly, and we still know exactly who’s talking. Action beats can also help with pacing and scene-setting, especially when dialogue becomes fast-paced or emotionally charged.

You can also provide the gist of what the character said in the form of indirect dialogue. This is a way of informing the reader that a conversation took place between two characters, without all the details of how it went down. For example: 

She told him everything about the accident, down to the last detail.

3. Match the Tone

Not every line of dialogue needs an expressive tag, but when emotions are high, a stronger verb can make the moment land more effectively.

Take this example, where the basic tag “said” doesn’t quite match the urgency of the line:

Dad said, “I told you to clean your room!” 

Now see how the stronger tag “shouted” adds impact:

Dad shouted, “I told you to clean your room!” 

The revised version more accurately reflects the intensity of the scene and helps the reader hear it in their head.

4. Reflect the Character’s Personality

Tags can also reinforce a character’s voice or disposition – just be careful not to overdo it. Think of these expressive tags as seasoning: a little goes a long way.

For instance, a playful character might say something like:

“Don’t panic,” he joked, sliding the spaceship’s self-destruct lever into the red zone.

The word “joked” not only attributes the line but also tells us something about the speaker’s personality and tone. Used occasionally, these tags can add flavor without distracting from the dialogue itself.

5. Avoid “Pretend Tags”

A dialogue tag must describe a way of speaking. Physical actions – “rolled his eyes,” “grinned,” “shrugged” – aren’t speech verbs, so they can’t attach directly to quoted words.

Consider this sentence, where an action is wrongly used as a tag:

“This is ridiculous,” he rolled his eyes.

To fix it, separate the action from the dialogue:

 “This is ridiculous.” He rolled his eyes.

Whenever the verb can’t logically be followed by quotation marks, treat it as an action beat, not a dialogue tag.

6. Control the Pacing

Dialogue tag length influences rhythm. Short, neutral tags keep dialogue brisk; longer beats slow it down and add weight.

Notice how quick tags speed the exchange:

 “Duck!” she shouted.

“Where?” he asked.

“Never mind – too late!”

Now see how descriptive beats create a slower, more reflective mood:

 “You kept it,” she said, brushing dust off the photo frame.

He nodded, eyes down. “I couldn’t throw it away.”

Choosing the right mix of short tags and longer beats lets you fine-tune the tempo of a scene.

7. Use Unusual Tags Sparingly

Vivid verbs such as “snarled,” “chortled,” or “guffawed” draw attention. Reserve them for moments where the delivery truly matters.

A well-placed special tag sharpens the line:

 “You think this is funny?” he snarled.

Stacking prominent tags, however, feels forced:

“That’s hilarious,” she chortled. 

“You’re too much,” he guffawed.

It’s best to utilize “said,” “asked,” or action beats most of the time. That way, the occasional colorful tag packs real punch.

60 Other Ways to Say “Said”

Drum roll, please! The moment you’ve been waiting for! Let’s get creative with 60 alternative ways to say “said.”

Common Substitutes

Use these when you want a mild alternative that doesn’t draw too much attention:

• Added
• Replied
• Answered
• Responded
• Stated
• Remarked
• Commented
• Noted
• Observed
• Acknowledged

Angry or Forceful Tags

Try these dialogue tags if you want to suggest volume, sharpness, or aggression:

• Barked
• Bellowed
• Snapped
• Shouted
• Roared
• Yelled
• Raged
• Growled
• Ordered
• Demanded

Quiet or Hesitant Tags

For softer tones, uncertainty, or emotional restraint, try these dialogue tags:

• Whispered
• Murmured
• Mumbled
• Muttered
• Sighed
• Stammered
• Faltered
• Hesitated
• Admitted
• Choked

Emotional or Expressive Tags

These dialogue tags are ideal for moments of excitement, surprise, or humor:

• Exclaimed
• Gasped
• Cheered
• Cried
• Gushed
• Laughed
• Sobbed
• Squealed
• Giggled
• Wailed
  

Persuasive or Commanding Tags

These suggest the speaker is trying to influence, persuade, or direct someone – perfect for power dynamics or instructional dialogue:

• Urged
• Begged
• Pleaded
• Commanded
• Insisted
• Directed
• Encouraged
• Persuaded
• Warned
• Implored

Purposeful or Character-Driven Tags

These dialogue tags subtly highlight the speaker’s motivations or personality traits:

• Asked
• Quipped
• Joked
• Teased
• Grumbled
• Lied
• Boasted
• Threatened
• Proclaimed
• Concurred
  

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