Use a strong verb when a source states something firmly: assert, contend and maintain report a firm claim, emphasize stresses its importance.
Reporting a confident claim
Not ""The author demonstrates that the diet works." (demonstrates says you accept it as proven, but you do not)" — say ""The author asserts that the diet works." (asserts reports the claim without agreeing with it)". Asserts reports a claim without agreeing with it; demonstrates says you accept it as proven.
Try it: Lars: The team states it firmly, against critics, but offers no new data. Maya: I do not want to agree with them, so I will write: The team ___ that the treatment works. Choose the reporting verb. (asserts / suggests / demonstrates) Answer: asserts — Asserts reports a firm claim without agreeing with it, which fits claims with no new data.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
assert
/əˈsɜrt/
The researchers assert that the correlation is statistically significant.
contend
/kənˈtɛnd/
Critics of the plan contend that it favors drivers over cyclists.
maintain
/meɪnˈteɪn/
The author maintains that early intervention reduces later costs.
emphasize
/ˈɛmfəsaɪz/
The report emphasizes that the results are significant, not incidental.
Reporting a cautious claim
Use a cautious verb for a careful claim: suggest reports a tentative conclusion, hypothesize an idea before testing, imply something unstated.
Not ""The study asserts that there might be a connection." (firm verb clashes with a tentative claim)" — say ""The study suggests that there might be a connection." (hedging verb matches the tentative claim)". Match the verb to the source's certainty: a soft claim ("might be") calls for suggests.
Try it: Mei: The paper thinks stress may slow recovery, but it has not proven it. Yasmin: So I should write: The paper ___ that stress may worsen recovery. Choose the reporting verb. (suggests / asserts / confirms) Answer: suggests — Suggests keeps the claim tentative, which fits the hedge "may".
Try it: Ira: The review keeps stressing the need for longer trials. Liam: Then my sentence reads: The review ___ the need for longer trials. Choose the reporting verb. (emphasizes / hypothesizes / denies) Answer: emphasizes — Emphasizes says the source is stressing the importance of the point.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
suggest
/səgˈdʒɛst/
The author suggests that cultural factors may play a role.
hypothesize
/haɪˈpɑθəsaɪz/
The study hypothesizes a link between diet and cognitive performance.
imply
/ɪmˈplaɪ/
The authors never discuss the sample size, but their conclusion implies that it did not matter.
Verbs that weigh the evidence
Use these when a source weighs a claim: refute proves it wrong, corroborate confirms it, substantiate backs it up, conclude gives a final judgment.
Not ""A second survey found the same pattern, which refuted the first one."" — say ""A second survey found the same pattern, which corroborated the first one."". Refute shows a claim is wrong; corroborate supports it with new evidence.
Try it: Amina: The city's water tests show the river is cleaner than it was in 2020. Mateo: So they ___ the blog's claim that it's getting dirtier. Choose the word for the blank. (refute / substantiate / emphasize) Answer: refute — Refute means to show that a claim is wrong, as the cleaner water tests do.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
refute
/rɪˈfjut/
The new census figures refute the claim that the town is shrinking.
corroborate
/kəˈrɑbəˌreɪt/
A second lab corroborated the original measurements.
substantiate
/səbˈstænʃiˌeɪt/
The reporter could not substantiate the rumor, so she dropped the story.
conclude
/kənˈklud/
The study concludes that the program should continue for another year.
What are the common mistakes?
Incorrect
Correct
Why
"The author demonstrates that the diet works." (demonstrates says you accept it as proven, but you do not)
"The author asserts that the diet works." (asserts reports the claim without agreeing with it)
Asserts reports a claim without agreeing with it; demonstrates says you accept it as proven.
"The study asserts that there might be a connection." (firm verb clashes with a tentative claim)
"The study suggests that there might be a connection." (hedging verb matches the tentative claim)
Match the verb to the source's certainty: a soft claim ("might be") calls for suggests.
"A second survey found the same pattern, which refuted the first one."
"A second survey found the same pattern, which corroborated the first one."
Refute shows a claim is wrong; corroborate supports it with new evidence.