Verb needed to with "Mmm-hmm"

ebwatt · Jun 3, 2008

I want to describe someone saying "mmm-hmm" as a minimal encourager e.g.

"Then I went to the store. And then..." she paused.
"Mmm-hmm." he ----.

Using the verb "said" just doesn't seem to work.

Suggestions?

Eb

CatSlave · Jun 3, 2008

Murmured.

Vincent · Jun 3, 2008

Well, first of, it would be "Mmm-hmm," he--- whatever.

Now, do you really need a tag here? How many are in this conversation, just the two of them? If so, can you just leave it as an "Mmm-hmm."?

ebwatt · Jun 3, 2008

Murmured works.

I do need the tag because the "mmm-hmm" is the first statement in the dialogue sequence. If this came up inthe middle of the dialogue, I wouldn't bother.

Thank you very much for your help.

Eb

PastMidnight · Jun 4, 2008

he prompted

poetinahat · Jun 4, 2008

How about no verb at all? It stands by itself (although 'mmm-hmm' sounds a little bored, not so much encouraging; maybe "mmm-hmm?" or "mmm-hmm!"). The sequence of spoken lines implies that the other person mmm-hmmed. As long as it's a conversation between two people and no more, it seems all right to me.

"Then I went to the store. And then..."

"Mmm-hmm."

"...then I <etc.>"

maestrowork · Jun 4, 2008

I agree with poet. No tag required.

Now, if you MUST have a tag, how about "mumbled."

NatJM · Jun 4, 2008

Whispered?

I like "mumbled" though

Spacecadet · Jun 4, 2008

"mused"? "ventured"? "muttered"?
It depends on the context really.

Kitty Pryde · Jun 4, 2008

How about ditch "mm-hmm" and write, "He mumbled in assent." or "He murmured in agreement." "He muttered his assent."

Matera the Mad · Jun 4, 2008

I don't feel that tags go well with Mm-hms. It's like saying, "'Ugh!' he grunted" -- redundant, snaggy.

If the second person says something more and a pause is needed, you could insert a bit of body language. Character nods slightly or looks expectant. Otherwise, you might just say that he made an encouraging (noise, sound).

jannawrites · Jun 5, 2008

The scenario I glean from your small excerpt is this:

"Then I went to the store. And then..." she paused.
"Mmm-hmm." He was only half-listening.

Or some such. Give the reader a clue as to his demeaner or the circumstance, not by the dialogue tag, but by a sentence that stands all on its own.

Barber · Jun 5, 2008

He uttered.

You might have already moved on from trying to find a verb. Uttered was the only one I didn't see listed yet (though it's similar to muttered).

Kalyke · Jun 6, 2008

He hummed. Muuh-umm.

James81 · Jun 6, 2008

Don't use anything.

Just have

"Mmmm-hmmm"

and move on to the next line of dialogue.

Manderley · Jun 6, 2008

Matera the Mad said:
If the second person says something more and a pause is needed, you could insert a bit of body language. Character nods slightly or looks expectant.

I like this suggestion. You get to set the character without having to use a tag.

dianeP · Jun 6, 2008

He chimed.

James81 · Jun 6, 2008

dianeP said:
He chimed.

Ack!

How do you "chime" an "mmm-hmm"?

How do you chime ANYTHING you say?

Unless, of course, you are in a musical.

dianeP · Jun 6, 2008

Chime: to speak in cadence or singsing.
Maybe I misundestood... I thought it was a light-hearted mmm-hmm.

Verb needed to with "Mmm-hmm"

ebwatt

CatSlave

Mah tale iz draggin.

Vincent

Cheers

ebwatt

PastMidnight

Oponionated

poetinahat

Numbers are beautiful

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

NatJM

Spacecadet

Kitty Pryde

i luv you giant bear statue

Matera the Mad

Bartender, gimme a Linux Mint

jannawrites

no, really

Barber

Timing is everything...

Kalyke

James81

Great Scott Member

Manderley

Slowly does it.

dianeP

James81

Great Scott Member

dianeP