When referring to what someone else has said or written in impersonal academic or business writing, use a reporting verb. Some examples are given here but remember to use the appropriate tense in your text.

As Johnson

observes

 

 

has observed

 

 

observed

 

 

had observed

……..

 

 

 

 

adds

 

 

affirms

 

 

agrees

 

Johnson

argues

that…..

 

asserts

 

 

assumes

 

 

believes

 

 

claims

 

 

concludes

 

 

denies

 

 

explains

 

 

finds

 

 

implies

 

 

maintains

 

 

points out

 

 

recommends

 

 

remarks

 

 

says

 

 

states

 

 

suggests

 

 

 

 

Johnson

challenges

the view that…

 

has listed

his principles

 

disagrees

with Smith

 

questions

Smith’s judgement


Other structures:

 As noted by Johnson in his research on ...

According to Johnson …

It has been argued by Johnson that …

In Johnson’s view …


Last modified: Monday, 23 October 2023, 4:43 PM