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Q&A Why do writers use "said" instead of "asked" when someone asks a question?

I often see writers use "said" instead of "asked" when their character asks a question. e.g. From The Hobbit: “Where else should I be?” said the wizard Is it a mistake that hasn't been caugh...

3 answers  ·  posted 10y ago by Tim Gradwell‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

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#3: Attribution notice added by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-08T03:17:48Z (over 4 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/9931
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#2: Initial revision by user avatar Tim Gradwell‭ · 2019-12-08T03:17:48Z (over 4 years ago)
I often see writers use "said" instead of "asked" when their character asks a question.

e.g. From _The Hobbit_:

> “Where else should I be?” said the wizard

Is it a mistake that hasn't been caught by the editor, or is it acceptable to ask a question with "said"?

#1: Imported from external source by user avatar System‭ · 2014-01-05T22:55:11Z (over 10 years ago)
Original score: 10