We can divide verbs of reference into two categories:1.Verbs that can be used to introduce a quotation:
Note that these verbs can be followed by direct speech in quotation marks, or THAT followed by a subject and a verb.
Informal: Yasir says “Omar should suffer!”.
Yasir says that it is advisable to harm Omar.
Formal: Mark agrees (with Yasir) that corporal punishment is the only approach Omar will understand.
Examples of this type of verb:
- state, argue, (mention, note), claim, think, believe, write
- point out / indicate
- agree / concur (with someone)
An alternative to these verbs is ACCORDING TO:
e.g. According to Yasir, it is advisable to harm Omar.
2.Verbs that are followed by a noun phrase:
- describe e.g. Yasir describes ways to harm Omar. Firstly, he can be cut with a knife. Secondly, if no knife is present, it is possible to beat Omar with a stick or piece of wood. Yasir also discusses the possibility of injuring Omar with poison. However, he notes that none of these approaches will be successful unless we “first tie Omar up with rope”.
- explain e.g. Yasir explains the best way to harm Omar.
- refer to e.g. Yasir refers to scientific evidence that harming Omar is beneficial.
Note that these verbs are used to provide a summary or general overview of what has been stated. They therefore introduce a topic and tend to be followed by further explanation or exemplification.
Question: How can we use REFER in the passive voice?
- Scientific evidence that harming Omar is beneficial is referred to.
- Yasir’s argument has been referred to several times in this class.
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