Dialogue Tags: 10 Other Ways to Say “Said”
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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” is a reliable choice, there are countless other options to explore. If you proofread or edit creative writing, you’ve probably encountered manuscripts overloaded with “said” dialogue tags. Today, we’ll show you ten 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
- How to use them effectively
- When to use “said,” and when not to
- Ten other creative ways to say “said”
What Is a Dialogue Tag?
Before we dive into alternative dialogue tags, let’s first clarify what a dialogue tag is.
In writing, a dialogue tag is a word or phrase used to attribute speech to a specific character. It provides context to the reader, an indication of who is speaking and how they are saying it. Common dialogue tag examples include “said,” “asked,” and “replied.”
The dialogue tag can come before, between, or after the character’s direct speech. For example:
Marc said, “I’m always here for you.”
“I’m sorry,” said William, “but I can’t come tonight.”
“I’m going to the store to buy some milk,” Hailey said.
Notice that if we use “said” before direct speech, we must add a comma after said.
If a dialogue tag is used in the middle of the dialogue, we add a comma before the tag (inside the closing quotation mark) and after the tag (outside of the opening quotation mark).
When the dialogue tag is at the end of the sentence, the punctuation goes inside the closing quotation mark.
If it’s at the start of the sentence, we capitalize the first letter.
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 can enhance a piece of dialogue.
When selecting dialogue tags, first consider how the characters would say what they’re saying. What’s the context of the scene? What emotional state are they in? Most aspiring authors know the “show, don’t tell” technique in fiction writing. They must paint a picture for the reader when describing a scene. However, they often overlook the powerful impact that dialogue tags can have. Using dialogue tags effectively can make a piece of writing more engaging and immersive.
Here are some tips on how to use them:
1. Be subtle: While attributing dialogue is essential, avoid overusing dialogue tags, especially if two characters are speaking to each other. Here’s an example of overusing dialogue tags:
“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. ✘
Sometimes, if you’re confident the reader will be able to keep track of who’s speaking, dialogue tags can be omitted:
“Where are you going?” Ashley asked her sister, Melissa.
“I’m going on a date,” said Melissa.
“With who?”
“Just a guy.” ✔
2. Show, don’t tell: Alternatively, you could use descriptive action or character behavior to imply who is speaking, and how they’re speaking, rather than explicitly stating it. Action beats can be used in the place of dialogue tags. They set the scene but allow the reader to imagine how the speech is delivered. For example:
“I hate spinach!” She said grumpily. ✘
“I hate spinach!” She knitted her brows and folded her arms. ✔
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.
3. Match the tone: Choose dialogue tags that reflect the character’s emotions and the scene’s mood. If a character’s emotions are running high, consider using a more expressive tag.
Dad said, “I told you to clean your room!” ✘
Dad shouted, “I told you to clean your room!” ✔
4. Consider character personality: Tailor your dialogue tags to fit the character’s personality. A character with a penchant for humor might “joke” or “tease,” while a reserved character might “murmur” or “whisper.”
Ten Other Ways to Say “Said”
Drum roll, please! The moment you’ve been waiting for! Let’s get creative with ten alternative ways to say “said”:
- Bellowed: to utter in a loud, deep voice when angry.
- Chimed in: suggesting enthusiastic participation.
- Concurred: when agreeing with someone.
- Exclaimed: used for moments of excitement or surprise.
- Grumbled: to murmur or mutter in discontent; a character that complains sullenly.
- Muttered: when speaking quietly or indistinctly.
- Proclaimed: for bold, confident statements.
- Quipped: great for humorous remarks.
- Threatened: ideal for intimidating or instilling fear in a character.
- Ventured: indicating a cautious or hesitant statement.
These are just some of the options – there are many creative ways to say “said”.
Remember, the key to using alternative tags effectively is context. Choose the one that best suits the situation, character, and tone of the writing.
Dialogue tags are more than just functional elements; they’re tools to infuse life into characters and conversations. While “said” is a dependable choice, exploring alternative tags can elevate a piece of writing, making it more engaging and dynamic. Use them wisely to create memorable dialogues that resonate with readers.
Keep our list of alternative tags in mind as you proofread and edit manuscripts that might be inundated with “said” tags.
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