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What would be a word to describe a person attempting to start a conversation?

For example,

"What a nice necklace that is. Is that from Peru?" [word here]ed Henry.

Or...

"I'm glad I finished this, the boss will sure be happy to see that it's done," [word here]ed George to his colleague.

It's not as obvious in the second case, but the word should denote that he's expecting a response.

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  • If he's trying to get the attention of others in a small group that is already in conversation then I'd use "injected".
    – Hot Licks
    Oct 31, 2016 at 12:41
  • "What a nice necklace that is. Is that from Peru?" Henry asked (questioned). "I'm glad I finished this, the boss will surely be happy to see that it's done," George said (declared) to his colleague.
    – SovereignSun
    Oct 31, 2016 at 12:41
  • @HotLicks "injected", hmm? Doesn't it mean "to introduce with pressure"? When you inject a speech or a topic you do it the hard way. Force it in. Am I wrong on this one?
    – SovereignSun
    Oct 31, 2016 at 12:43
  • It's often used to mean wedging a few words into a conversation.
    – Hot Licks
    Oct 31, 2016 at 17:53

4 Answers 4

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I like "suggested" (already suggested). Also:

Lead with

Start

Begin

Try

Attempt

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  • I think "attempt" is perfect.
    – General Nuisance
    Nov 18, 2016 at 17:57
  • @GeneralNuisance - glad it works for you. I looked back at your question again, and "attempt" is right there at the beginning -- so I agree, it fits what you described!
    – aparente001
    Nov 18, 2016 at 20:37
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If the person in question is shy, you coud use falter. It means "to utter hesitatingly or brokenly." Stammer is another possibility: "To speak with many pauses and repetitions because you have a speech problem or because you are very nervous, frightened, etc."

The firs sentence could work with stutter, at least in my opinion. Another possibility is to add a description: "He said, hesitant..."

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Interjected meaning "to interrupt what someone else is saying with (a comment, remark, etc.)" could be a viable choice.

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  • "What a nice necklace that is. Is that from Peru?" Henry interjected. - Sorry, but the last sentence in his speech is an interrogative one. Is it possible to use "interjected" with those? And it's an "interrupter word", so it interrupts a person who is attempting a conversation or is leading one.
    – SovereignSun
    Oct 31, 2016 at 13:24
  • “That's an interesting idea,” he interjected, “but I don't think you've considered all of the details.” from merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interject
    – SovereignSun
    Oct 31, 2016 at 13:25
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    @SovereignSun You can use 'interjected' with questions. Also, I believe you needn't be interrupting an existing conversation, it could be another activity, like a quiet game of chess, that the statement/question would be an interruption to. It certainly isn't the right word in a lot of contexts, but starting off by asking about a necklace sounds like something that might be an interjection.
    – Mathily
    Oct 31, 2016 at 13:36
  • "What a nice necklace that is," he interjected. "Is that from Peru?" - it should like this then. I guess.
    – SovereignSun
    Oct 31, 2016 at 13:38
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Look here: http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/clause4b.html

  • "suggested" - may be a good example, but i can't see how it could nicely fit in here.

  • "questioned" - Is another good choice. It seems to fit in like a glove in the first sentence.

  • "posed" - Is a possible variant. To set forth or offer for attention or consideration "Let me pose a question". http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pose

Another good list: http://www.killermovies.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-442947-words-to-replace-said.html

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