exclaimed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exclaimed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to convey a strong emotion or a sudden outburst, often in dialogue or narrative contexts. Example: "She exclaimed in surprise when she saw the unexpected gift waiting for her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Not even with the pope would there have been all this fuss," exclaimed Diana Cucereavii, a waitress in a cafe nearby.

The Guardian - Film

A sociology professor exclaimed: "I've been sitting in these meetings for fucking decades!

The Guardian

There's a remarkable moment early in "The Swimmers" – which Fitzgerald called "the hardest story I ever wrote, too big for its space" – when an unfaithful wife, who is French, complains about the American women she sees on the Riviera: "How would you place them?" she exclaimed.

The Guardian - Books

One of my uncles, when he returned to London after a period of schooling in Ghana, simply exclaimed: "Back to civilisation".

The Guardian

When I explained to him how the British government works, he exclaimed: "That is worse than Russia under Stalin".

The Guardian - Opinion

One moment organisers will have been relieved not to relive was when, in 1977, the Queen stood torch in hand ready to light her silver jubilee beacon – and exclaimed: "Look, look.

The Guardian - Music

"Bull!" a woman in the crowd exclaimed, as others groaned at the national security excuse cited by more hawkish lawmakers.

The Guardian

Even Doris Lessing, in the wonderful letter in which she turned down a damehood, exclaimed "And yet … how pleasant to be a dame!

The Guardian - Opinion

"This is my dad!" exclaimed one excited fan, pointing to the only man wearing a blazer I'd seen all day.

The Guardian - Music

"Six months?" Wasswa exclaimed.

The Guardian

'Like it?' She exclaimed.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exclaimed" to clearly indicate a character's emotional state or emphasize a key point in dialogue. It adds immediacy and impact to written narratives.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "exclaimed" as a dialogue tag. Vary your phrasing with alternatives like "said", "whispered", or action beats to create a more natural and engaging reading experience.

Linguistic Context

Exclaimed functions primarily as a verb, specifically the past tense and past participle of the verb "exclaim". It indicates the act of speaking out suddenly and vehemently, often expressing surprise, strong emotion, or protest. Ludwig AI provides examples demonstrating its use in narrative contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Encyclopedias

16%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Reference

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exclaimed" is a verb used to describe a sudden, forceful utterance, often expressing emotion. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media and encyclopedias. While it effectively conveys emotion in dialogue, overuse should be avoided for stylistic reasons. Alternatives like "cried out" or "shouted" can offer variety. Therefore, using "exclaimed" appropriately can enhance narrative impact, but mindful variation is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cried out

Expresses a sudden utterance, often indicating surprise, pain, or strong emotion; similar in impact but slightly more suggestive of distress.

shouted

Indicates a loud vocalization, often used to project voice over distance or express anger; focuses more on volume than surprise.

yelled

Similar to "shouted" but often implies greater intensity or excitement.

declared

Suggests a more formal or assertive statement, emphasizing the act of making something known rather than the emotion behind it.

stated emphatically

Highlights the forcefulness of the statement, indicating a strong conviction or insistence.

blurted out

Suggests an impulsive utterance, often without forethought.

remarked

A less intense alternative, suggesting a casual observation or comment.

gasped

Implies a sudden intake of breath, often accompanied by a brief, sharp utterance.

vocalized

A more general term indicating any form of vocal expression, lacking the specific connotation of surprise or emphasis.

ejaculated

While technically similar, this word can have inappropriate connotations and should be used with caution.

FAQs

How can I use "exclaimed" in a sentence?

"Exclaimed" is used to show a character speaking with strong emotion or suddenness. For example: ""That's amazing!" she "exclaimed"."

What can I say instead of "exclaimed"?

You can use alternatives like "cried out", "shouted", or "yelled" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "exclaimed" or "said"?

"Said" is a neutral dialogue tag, while "exclaimed" indicates heightened emotion. The choice depends on the intended tone and context of the sentence.

What's the difference between "exclaimed" and "remarked"?

"Exclaimed" suggests a sudden, emotional outburst, whereas "remarked" implies a more casual or thoughtful comment.