Quick Answer
“The author says” is a reporting phrase used to introduce another writer’s idea. For more precision and academic strength, try alternatives like “The author states,” “The author argues,” “The author contends,” “According to the author,” “The author points out,” or “The author maintains.”
“The author says” is one of the most common reporting phrases in academic and analytical English. It appears in essays, literature reviews, research papers, book reports, and business summaries. Whenever you need to introduce someone else’s idea, this phrase is usually the first one that comes to mind.
This guide provides 30 practical alternatives with meanings, examples, and clear notes on tone. You will learn how to express excitement in English about a compelling idea while keeping your academic register intact. Whether you are writing an essay, a literature review, or a professional report, these options will sharpen your analysis and strengthen your voice as a writer.
Pull Quote: “Reporting verbs are not decoration. Each one signals how the writer feels about the idea they are presenting.”
Quick Categories
Formal alternatives to “The author says”
- The author states
- The author asserts
- The author posits
- The author maintains
Pro Tip: Formal reporting verbs suit academic essays, dissertations, and literature reviews where neutrality matters.
Casual alternatives
- The author talks about
- The author mentions
- The author brings up
- The author goes into
Pro Tip: Casual options work in notes, discussion posts, and informal summaries, not in formal essays.
Professional alternatives
- The author reports
- The author outlines
- The author identifies
- The author recommends
Pro Tip: Professional alternatives suit business reports, policy briefs, and executive summaries.
Informal expressions
- As the author puts it
- In the author’s view
- The author makes the point that
- The author is basically saying
Pro Tip: Informal expressions are useful in presentations and spoken summaries but should be avoided in formal writing.
Pull Quote: “The right tone makes your English sound professional and confident.”
Common Mistakes
- Repeating “the author says” throughout an entire essay.
Example: “The author says this. The author says that. The author says more.” Repetition flattens academic writing. - Using “says” for a written text in formal academic style.
Example: “In her 2019 book, the author says that inequality is rising.” “States” or “argues” reads better in formal writing. - Choosing a reporting verb that misrepresents the author’s stance.
Example: “The author concedes that reform is needed” when the author actually demands it. - Using “says” without a citation or page reference.
Example: “The author says the policy failed.” Academic writing requires a source. - Mixing tenses inconsistently.
Example: “The author says the theory works, but the author argued otherwise later.” Keep reporting tense consistent.
What Does “The Author Says” Mean?
Definition
It is a reporting phrase that introduces a statement, opinion, or claim made by a writer in a text.
Grammar Explanation
“The author” is the subject, and “says” is the third person singular present tense of the verb “say.” The phrase is followed by a noun clause introduced by “that,” which can be omitted. In academic writing, stronger reporting verbs are usually preferred over “says.”
Example Sentence
“The author says that education reform must begin at the local level.”
When to Use “The Author Says”
Common Contexts
- Academic essays: Introducing a source’s argument.
- Literature reviews: Summarising multiple writers.
- Book reports: Describing an author’s main points.
- Journalism: Quoting or paraphrasing a source.
- Business reports: Summarising a research study.
Spoken vs Written
- Spoken: Common in lectures, seminars, and presentations.
- Written: Very common in student essays but usually replaced by stronger verbs in published work.
Formal vs Informal
- Formal: Acceptable but weak. Stronger reporting verbs read better.
- Informal: Natural in conversation and discussion posts.
Is It Professional or Polite to Say “The Author Says”?
Politeness vs Professionalism
The phrase is polite and neutral, and it is never rude. Its weakness is not politeness but precision. In academic and professional writing, it can sound repetitive and vague because it does not indicate whether the author is arguing, observing, claiming, or conceding.
Business-Style Example
“The report identifies three barriers to adoption and recommends a phased rollout.”
Polite? Yes
Professional? Acceptable, but usually too vague for published academic or business writing
Pull Quote: “Vague reporting weakens your argument. Precise reporting strengthens it.”
Pros and Cons of Using “The Author Says”
Pros
- Simple and natural: Easy to write and widely understood.
- Friendly tone: Neutral and non confrontational.
- Common usage: Recognised in every academic discipline.
- Easy to understand: Requires no specialist vocabulary.
Cons
- Too informal for work: Weakens academic and professional tone when overused.
- Overused: Appears constantly in student writing.
- Limited emotional range: Cannot express whether an author argues, concedes, or warns.
- Not suitable for formal writing: Published academic work prefers stronger reporting verbs.
Other Ways to Say “The Author Says” (With Examples)
These alternatives will help you sound more fluent, confident, and natural in different situations. Use them according to tone, context, and audience to express excitement, admiration, or approval.
1. The author states
Meaning: The author presents information clearly and directly.
Explanation: Neutral and slightly formal, ideal for factual claims.
Example Sentence: “The author states that literacy rates rose sharply between 1990 and 2010.”
Best Use: Academic essays
Worst Use: Casual chats
Tone: Neutral, formal, factual
Context Variability: Professional and written
2. The author argues
Meaning: The author presents a reasoned position.
Explanation: Signals a claim supported by evidence and reasoning.
Example Sentence: “The author argues that remote work improves productivity.”
Best Use: Academic analysis
Worst Use: Simple summaries
Tone: Analytical, assertive, formal
Context Variability: Professional and written
3. The author asserts
Meaning: The author states something confidently.
Explanation: Implies confidence without necessarily proving it.
Example Sentence: “The author asserts that the policy failed without offering data.”
Best Use: Critical analysis
Worst Use: Neutral summaries
Tone: Confident, forceful, formal
Context Variability: Professional and written
4. The author claims
Meaning: The author puts forward a statement that may be disputed.
Explanation: Often carries a note of scepticism.
Example Sentence: “The author claims that the reform saved money, though the figures are disputed.”
Best Use: Critical review
Worst Use: Endorsement
Tone: Cautious, critical, formal
Context Variability: Professional and written
5. The author contends
Meaning: The author argues a point in a debate.
Explanation: Common in academic writing on contested topics.
Example Sentence: “The author contends that globalisation has deepened inequality.”
Best Use: Academic debate
Worst Use: Casual notes
Tone: Formal, argumentative, academic
Context Variability: Professional and written
6. The author maintains
Meaning: The author continues to hold a position.
Explanation: Suggests consistency and firm belief.
Example Sentence: “The author maintains that the original findings remain valid.”
Best Use: Academic writing
Worst Use: Quick summaries
Tone: Firm, steady, formal
Context Variability: Professional and written
7. The author observes
Meaning: The author notices and reports something.
Explanation: Neutral and gentle, based on evidence.
Example Sentence: “The author observes that participation drops sharply after the first year.”
Best Use: Research writing
Worst Use: Persuasive arguments
Tone: Neutral, measured, formal
Context Variability: Professional and written
8. The author notes
Meaning: The author mentions something worth attention.
Explanation: Neutral and concise.
Example Sentence: “The author notes that funding varies significantly between regions.”
Best Use: Literature reviews
Worst Use: Strong claims
Tone: Neutral, factual, formal
Context Variability: Professional and written
9. The author explains
Meaning: The author makes something clear.
Explanation: Focuses on clarification rather than argument.
Example Sentence: “The author explains how the algorithm handles missing data.”
Best Use: Technical writing
Worst Use: Opinion pieces
Tone: Informative, clear, neutral
Context Variability: Professional and written
10. The author suggests
Meaning: The author proposes an idea tentatively.
Explanation: Softer than arguing or asserting.
Example Sentence: “The author suggests that smaller class sizes may improve outcomes.”
Best Use: Academic writing
Worst Use: Definitive claims
Tone: Tentative, cautious, formal
Context Variability: Professional and written
11. The author proposes
Meaning: The author puts forward a plan or model.
Explanation: Forward looking and constructive.
Example Sentence: “The author proposes a three tier model for urban planning.”
Best Use: Policy, research
Worst Use: Criticism
Tone: Constructive, formal, forward looking
Context Variability: Professional and written
12. The author emphasises
Meaning: The author gives special importance to something.
Explanation: Highlights priority.
Example Sentence: “The author emphasises the role of teacher training in reform.”
Best Use: Academic summaries
Worst Use: Neutral listings
Tone: Focused, formal, emphatic
Context Variability: Professional and written
13. The author points out
Meaning: The author draws attention to a specific fact.
Explanation: Conversational but still acceptable in essays.
Example Sentence: “The author points out that enrolment fell before the policy changed.”
Best Use: Essays, reports
Worst Use: Highly formal papers
Tone: Informative, direct, neutral
Context Variability: Professional and written
14. The author highlights
Meaning: The author makes something stand out.
Explanation: Similar to emphasises but slightly more visual.
Example Sentence: “The author highlights the gap between policy and practice.”
Best Use: Reports, reviews
Worst Use: Technical manuals
Tone: Focused, clear, professional
Context Variability: Professional and written
15. The author demonstrates
Meaning: The author proves or shows through evidence.
Explanation: Strong and evidence based.
Example Sentence: “The author demonstrates that early intervention reduces costs.”
Best Use: Research writing
Worst Use: Speculative texts
Tone: Strong, evidence based, formal
Context Variability: Professional and written
16. The author reveals
Meaning: The author makes something previously unknown clear.
Explanation: Suggests new insight.
Example Sentence: “The author reveals that the survey excluded rural households.”
Best Use: Investigative writing
Worst Use: Routine summaries
Tone: Revealing, dramatic, formal
Context Variability: Professional and written
17. The author concludes
Meaning: The author reaches a final judgement.
Explanation: Signals the end of an argument.
Example Sentence: “The author concludes that reform is necessary but insufficient.”
Best Use: Academic conclusions
Worst Use: Introductions
Tone: Final, formal, decisive
Context Variability: Professional and written
18. The author posits
Meaning: The author puts forward a theory or assumption.
Explanation: Very formal and academic.
Example Sentence: “The author posits that language shapes perception.”
Best Use: Theoretical writing
Worst Use: Everyday summaries
Tone: Formal, theoretical, academic
Context Variability: Professional and written
19. The author remarks
Meaning: The author makes a brief comment.
Explanation: Light and slightly informal for academic writing.
Example Sentence: “The author remarks that the results were unexpected.”
Best Use: Reviews, commentary
Worst Use: Formal dissertations
Tone: Light, neutral, conversational
Context Variability: Professional and written
20. The author writes
Meaning: A direct reporting verb for written texts.
Explanation: Simple and accurate for citing text.
Example Sentence: “The author writes that memory is never fully reliable.”
Best Use: Literature essays
Worst Use: Data reports
Tone: Neutral, literary, formal
Context Variability: Professional and written
21. The author reports
Meaning: The author presents findings or accounts.
Explanation: Common in research and journalism.
Example Sentence: “The author reports a 15 percent decline in attendance.”
Best Use: Research, journalism
Worst Use: Opinion writing
Tone: Factual, neutral, professional
Context Variability: Professional and written
22. The author acknowledges
Meaning: The author admits or recognises something.
Explanation: Suggests honesty about limitations.
Example Sentence: “The author acknowledges the study’s small sample size.”
Best Use: Critical review
Worst Use: Celebratory summaries
Tone: Honest, balanced, formal
Context Variability: Professional and written
23. The author concedes
Meaning: The author admits a point against their position.
Explanation: Signals intellectual honesty in a debate.
Example Sentence: “The author concedes that the evidence is inconclusive.”
Best Use: Academic debate
Worst Use: Casual notes
Tone: Formal, balanced, concessive
Context Variability: Professional and written
24. According to the author
Meaning: A framing phrase attributing an idea.
Explanation: Neutral and common in all academic levels.
Example Sentence: “According to the author, funding is the primary obstacle.”
Best Use: Essays, reports
Worst Use: Direct quotations
Tone: Neutral, formal, standard
Context Variability: Professional and written
25. The author makes the case that
Meaning: The author builds a reasoned argument.
Explanation: Suggests sustained persuasion.
Example Sentence: “The author makes the case that regulation protects consumers.”
Best Use: Persuasive analysis
Worst Use: Short summaries
Tone: Persuasive, formal, reasoned
Context Variability: Professional and written
26. The author puts forward the view that
Meaning: The author offers a particular perspective.
Explanation: Formal and slightly cautious.
Example Sentence: “The author puts forward the view that technology reshapes identity.”
Best Use: Academic writing
Worst Use: Casual chats
Tone: Formal, measured, academic
Context Variability: Professional and written
27. The author is of the opinion that
Meaning: The author holds a personal belief.
Explanation: Slightly wordy but common in formal writing.
Example Sentence: “The author is of the opinion that reform should be gradual.”
Best Use: Formal essays
Worst Use: Concise reports
Tone: Formal, opinion based, measured
Context Variability: Professional and written
28. As the author puts it
Meaning: Introducing the author’s own phrasing.
Explanation: Common before a quotation.
Example Sentence: “As the author puts it, the system was designed to fail quietly.”
Best Use: Quotations
Worst Use: Data summaries
Tone: Literary, conversational, vivid
Context Variability: Professional and written
29. In the author’s view
Meaning: Presenting the author’s perspective.
Explanation: Neutral and clearly attributed.
Example Sentence: “In the author’s view, the reform went too far too quickly.”
Best Use: Essays, reviews
Worst Use: Technical writing
Tone: Neutral, formal, perspective based
Context Variability: Professional and written
30. The author underscores
Meaning: The author stresses something strongly.
Explanation: Formal and emphatic.
Example Sentence: “The author underscores the need for long term funding.”
Best Use: Policy writing
Worst Use: Casual notes
Tone: Emphatic, formal, professional
Context Variability: Professional and written
Pull Quote: “Professional reaction phrases and precise reporting verbs both show the same thing: you understood the source, not just the sentence.”
Mini Quiz / Self-Check
- Scenario: You are writing an academic essay analysing a contested claim. Which reporting verb fits best?
- A) The author says.
- B) The author contends.
- C) The author mentions.
- Scenario: You want to show that an author honestly admitted a limitation in their study. Which fits best?
- A) The author acknowledges.
- B) The author reveals.
- C) The author proposes.
- Scenario: You are writing a business report summarising research findings. Which is most appropriate?
- A) The author talks about the data.
- B) The author reports a 15 percent decline.
- C) The author goes into the data.
- Scenario: Which phrase is generally too informal for a formal academic essay?
- A) The author states.
- B) The author is basically saying.
- C) The author argues.
Comparison Table: Top Alternatives
| Phrase | Tone | Best Use |
| The author states | Neutral, factual | Academic essays |
| The author argues | Analytical, assertive | Argument analysis |
| The author claims | Cautious, critical | Critical review |
| The author contends | Formal, argumentative | Contested topics |
| The author maintains | Firm, steady | Sustained positions |
| The author observes | Neutral, measured | Research writing |
| The author proposes | Constructive, formal | Policy, research |
| The author acknowledges | Honest, balanced | Critical review |
| According to the author | Neutral, standard | Essays, reports |
| The author underscores | Emphatic, formal | Policy writing |
FAQs
1. What is a formal alternative to “the author says”?
“The author states,” “The author contends,” and “The author maintains” are strong formal alternatives suitable for academic essays and literature reviews.
2. Why should I avoid “the author says” in academic writing?
It is vague and repetitive. Stronger reporting verbs show whether the author is arguing, observing, conceding, or claiming, which strengthens your analysis.
3. What is the difference between “says” and “states”?
“Says” is more conversational, while “states” is neutral and formal, making it better suited to academic and professional writing.
4. Which reporting verb should I use to show disagreement or caution?
Use “claims” or “asserts” when you want to signal that a statement may be disputed, and “concedes” or “acknowledges” when the author admits a limitation.
5. How do I introduce a quotation from an author?
Use “As the author puts it” or “According to the author,” followed by the quotation and a citation.
Conclusion
Learning other ways to say the author says gives you the precision that academic and professional writing demands. Each reporting verb carries meaning, and choosing the right one shows that you understood the source rather than simply repeating it. These alternatives to the author says help you move beyond one overused phrase and into sharper, more credible analysis.
Practise by rewriting one paragraph of an essay or report each day, replacing every instance of “says” with a more accurate verb. Pay close attention to tone and context, because the right verb depends on the author’s stance and your own argument. With steady practice, these professional reaction phrases and academic reporting verbs will become part of your everyday fluency.
Sally Rooney is an American writer who contributes to QuickResponsess.com, creating clear and practical content for English learners. Her articles help readers build confidence in using words and expressions accurately in everyday and professional communication.
