--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Never use a verb other than \"said\" to…" description: "\"Never use a verb other than \"said\" to carry dialogue... I once noticed Mary McCarthy ending a line of dialogue with \"she asseverated\" and had to stop r..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c6/elmore-leonard-3471_communication_never-use-a-verb-other-than-said-to-carr_1052791.jpg" --- # Never use a verb other than "said" to carry dialogue... I… ![“Never use a verb other than "said" to carry dialogue... I once noticed Mary McCarthy ending a line of dialogue with "she asseverated" and had to stop reading and go to the dictionary.” quote by Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c6/elmore-leonard-3471_communication_never-use-a-verb-other-than-said-to-carr_1052791.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c6/elmore-leonard-3471_communication_never-use-a-verb-other-than-said-to-carr_1052791.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c6/elmore-leonard-3471_communication_never-use-a-verb-other-than-said-to-carr_1052791.jpg) > “Never use a verb other than "said" to carry dialogue... I once noticed Mary McCarthy ending a line of dialogue with "she asseverated" and had to stop reading and go to the dictionary.” [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Dialogue should be simple, using only “said” for clarity; unusual verbs distract readers. **In simple terms:** Keep dialogue tags simple; avoid fancy verbs. Key Takeaway Use “said” to keep conversation natural. Themes writing dialogue clarity Mood instructional practical Type writing education When to use this quote - editing a manuscript - teaching creative writing - self‑editing a story Key Concepts literary style reader immersion simplicity Questions to Reflect On - When is a more vivid verb justified? - How does dialogue tag choice affect pacing? A Different Perspective Over‑reliance on “said” may make prose feel bland. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Dictionary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dictionary/) [Reading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reading/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Never use a verb other than ‘said’ to carry dialogue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/never-use-a-verb-other-than-said-to-carry-dialogue/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Never use an adverb to modify the verb 'said' . . . he admonished gravely. 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Every words that serves no function, every long word…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-zinsser/but-the-secret-of-good-writing-is-to-strip-every-sentence-to-its/) [William Zinsser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-zinsser/) > [Natural history is not taught in seminary. This is curious, as most people in pastoral ministry are about 567 times more likely to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-maitland/natural-history-is-not-taught-in-seminary-this-is-curious-as-most/) [Sara Maitland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-maitland/) > [Verbs allow you to communicate a story in a much more converged or involuntary way for a reader. 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It’s right in front of my face, but I just can’t see it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/there-s-something-happening-here-i-know-it-it-s-right-in-front-of-my/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [The line of dialogue belongs to the character; the verb is the writer sticking his nose in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/the-line-of-dialogue-belongs-to-the-character-the-verb-is-the-writer/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [“I try to leave out the parts that people skip.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/i-try-to-leave-out-the-parts-that-people-skip/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [I have fun writing. I don't make it a chore. I don't have to struggle with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/i-have-fun-writing-i-don-t-make-it-a-chore-i-don-t-have-to-struggle/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it. Or, if proper usage gets in the way, it may have to go. I can't allow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/if-it-sounds-like-writing-i-rewrite-it-or-if-proper-usage-gets-in-the/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [I don’t think writers compete, I think they’re all doing separate things in their own style.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/i-don-t-think-writers-compete-i-think-they-re-all-doing-separate/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [After 58 years you'd think writing would get easier. It doesn't. If you're lucky, you become harder to please. 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It's in the bible.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/a-wife-s-faithful-to-her-husband-subject-to-him-it-s-in-the-bible/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Using adverbs is a mortal sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/using-adverbs-is-a-mortal-sin/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Try not to write the parts that people skip.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/try-not-to-write-the-parts-that-people-skip/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [I want the reader to know what's going on. 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