a message said

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a message said" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a message that has been spoken aloud. For example: "I heard a message said in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

per night" a message said.

The New York Times

"I want to give you a message," said Western Union.

The New Yorker

"Sooty was deeply honoured to be asked to record a message," said his latest spokesman yesterday.

Independent

The next day, a message said the site was under renovation.

The New York Times

Shortly before 3 p.m., a message said all classes had been canceled for the rest of the day.

The New York Times

"Sensitive offices are well guarded, but it can be a message," said Aftab Cheema, the police chief of Faisalabad.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Visitors the website saw a message saying "Page not found!

Independent

D.J. released a message saying, "We are one people.

The New Yorker

"I left a message saying I felt completely overwhelmed".

The New York Times

If the button is pressed, a message says: "Feliz Navidad.

The New York Times

Before reaching the Pole, a jubilant Prince Harry sent a message saying: "Everybody is really excited.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When attributing information, ensure the context clarifies who or what delivered the message to avoid ambiguity. Consider rephrasing with a more direct subject if clarity is an issue.

Common error

Avoid overuse in contexts where active voice would be more direct and engaging. Over-reliance on the phrase can create a passive and less impactful tone. Instead, specify the messenger.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a message said" functions as an attributive expression, indicating that the information being presented originated from a specific message. This is supported by Ludwig's examples that showcase various messages containing different information.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a message said" serves as a simple and direct way to attribute information to a message. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and most frequently found in news and formal contexts. While not exceedingly common, it provides a clear method of conveying communicated information. For enhanced clarity and impact, consider using more specific nouns instead of 'message' or varying sentence structure to avoid passive voice. Alternative phrases like "the announcement stated" can add formality when needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the announcement stated

Replaces 'message' with a more formal 'announcement' and 'said' with 'stated', indicating a formal declaration.

the notice indicated

Uses 'notice' as a substitute for 'message', implying a written or posted communication; 'indicated' offers a more neutral tone than 'said'.

it was communicated that

This alternative is a passive construction, focusing on the act of communication rather than the message itself.

information conveyed that

This version uses more formal vocabulary ('conveyed') to indicate a passing of information.

reports indicated

Replaces the direct 'message' with 'reports', suggesting information coming from multiple sources; 'indicated' is used for a less assertive tone.

the memo detailed

Substitutes 'message' with 'memo', specifying a business document; 'detailed' suggests a comprehensive communication.

the press release declared

Replaces 'message' with 'press release', indicating an official statement to the media; 'declared' signifies a public and formal announcement.

sources confirmed that

Shifts focus to the origin of information ('sources') and uses 'confirmed' to express verification of the message.

word had it that

This version is more informal, using 'word had it' to imply a rumor or unconfirmed report.

a statement was issued

Emphasizes the action of issuing a statement, rather than the content of the message itself.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a message said" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "the announcement stated", "the notice indicated", or "it was communicated that".

What are some alternatives to "a message said" for informal writing?

In informal contexts, consider using "word had it that" or simply stating the information directly without attribution if appropriate.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when using "a message said"?

While grammatically correct, "a message said" can sometimes lead to passive constructions. Whenever possible, prefer active voice. For example, instead of "a message said the meeting was cancelled", try "the company announced the meeting was cancelled".

What does it mean when "a message said" something?

It means that some type of announcement or communication was conveyed from one party to another. The communication could be written or spoken, and the source could be an individual, a group, or an automated system.