But said

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "But said" is not correct and usable in written English as it lacks context and clarity.
It may be intended to introduce a contrast or a quote, but it needs additional information to be meaningful. Example: "He was excited about the project, but said he needed more time to prepare."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But, said Donaldson, there is no comparison.

The Guardian - Business

But said the matter did require investigation.

BBC

But, said, Daniel Boyce, that was not certain.

BBC

But said strangers are their exact doubles.

Vice

But said the film is "very compelling".

Vice

But said wags clearly haven't seen Johnson in action.

Los Angeles Times

— Benazir but, said Gerry.

The New Yorker

She nodded but said nothing.

The New Yorker

He nodded, but said nothing.

The New Yorker

A few smiled, but said nothing.

The New York Times

Mr. Daley nodded but said nothing.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "But said" in formal writing. Instead, opt for clearer and more grammatically correct alternatives like "However, he stated" or "Nevertheless, she added".

Common error

Using "But said" often results in a sentence fragment or an awkward construction. Always ensure that the phrase is followed by a complete clause with a subject and verb to avoid grammatical errors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "But said" functions primarily as a discourse marker intended to introduce a contrasting statement or qualification. However, it often results in grammatically incomplete sentences. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "But said" appears frequently across diverse sources, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect due to its incomplete structure. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. Despite its common occurrence, especially in News & Media, it is advisable to use clearer alternatives such as "However, he stated" or "Yet, he mentioned" for improved clarity and grammatical accuracy. Employing these alternatives ensures effective communication and avoids potential ambiguity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

However, he stated

Replaces the abrupt "But said" with a smoother transition and clearer attribution.

Yet, he mentioned

Offers a similar contrast but with a different verb, providing variety in expression.

Nevertheless, he added

Emphasizes the contrast more strongly while still maintaining grammatical correctness.

On the other hand, he noted

Provides a balanced contrasting view with a formal tone.

Conversely, she remarked

Introduces a direct opposite viewpoint with clear attribution.

In contrast, they observed

Highlights a difference, offering a more descriptive alternative.

Even so, he commented

Acknowledges a prior statement but introduces a contrasting thought.

That being said, she explained

Signals a shift in perspective or topic, providing context.

Despite that, he clarified

Indicates a qualification or correction to a previous statement.

Still, she pointed out

Suggests persistence or continuation despite an obstacle.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "But said"?

You can use alternatives like "however he stated", "yet he mentioned", or "nevertheless he added", depending on the context to improve clarity and grammatical correctness.

Is "But said" grammatically correct?

No, "But said" is generally considered grammatically incorrect because it lacks a subject and often forms an incomplete sentence. It's better to use a complete clause to ensure clarity.

How to use a contrasting phrase correctly?

When introducing a contrast, use phrases like "However,", "Nevertheless,", or "On the other hand," followed by a complete sentence. For example, "He was enthusiastic about the project; however, he said he needed more time".

Which is correct, "But said" or "But he said"?

"But he said" is more grammatically correct than "But said" because it includes a subject. However, even better alternatives are "however he stated" or "yet he mentioned".