as he put it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as he put it" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a quotation or paraphrase of someone's words, often to emphasize their perspective or phrasing. Example: "The project was a complete failure, as he put it, due to a lack of planning and resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Its "blood," as he put it, was promising.

The New Yorker

redux," as he put it.

The New York Times - Arts

(As he put it: "Form follows fiction").

The New York Times

As he put it, "I'm gay.

The New Yorker

Or as he put it, "Everywhere".

The New York Times - Sports

Just "millions," as he put it.

The Washington Post

"Not too good," as he put it.

The New York Times - Sports

(Or, as he put it: "Fuck him").

The Guardian - TV & Radio

As he put it: "She is me.

The Guardian

"Good business," as he put it.

The Guardian - Sport

The response, as he put it, was "a love fest".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as he put it" to introduce a direct quote or paraphrase, giving credit to the speaker's unique phrasing or perspective. It adds a personal touch and emphasizes their specific choice of words.

Common error

Ensure that the phrase following "as he put it" accurately reflects the speaker's actual words or intended meaning. Misrepresenting their statement can lead to miscommunication or misunderstanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as he put it" serves as an attribution marker, indicating that the words or ideas that follow originate from a specific individual. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this expression is commonly used to introduce a quotation or paraphrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as he put it" is a versatile and frequently used expression for attributing statements or ideas to a specific person. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and widespread applicability. It functions as an attribution marker, serving to add context or lend authority to the information presented. While considered neutral in register, it appears most commonly in news and media, as well as scientific and formal contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure accuracy in representing the speaker's intended meaning and consider the available alternatives, such as "in his words" or "according to him", to vary your writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in his words

This alternative provides a direct and simple way to indicate that the following text is a direct quote or paraphrase.

in his own words

Emphasizes that the following statement is directly from the individual, without interpretation.

to quote him

This alternative explicitly states that the following text is a direct quotation from the person being referenced.

as he stated

This option uses a more formal verb, "stated", implying a more official or deliberate expression.

as he articulated

This option uses a more formal verb, "articulated", implying a clearly expression of an idea.

according to him

This phrase introduces the statement as his perspective or version of events.

he remarked

This alternative uses the verb "remarked", suggesting a casual or brief statement.

if you will pardon his expression

This phrase indicates a more informal and potentially colorful way of putting something.

to use his phrasing

Highlights that the specific wording is important or unique to the individual.

he expressed it thus

A slightly more formal way of introducing someone's words, emphasizing the manner of expression.

FAQs

How can I use "as he put it" in a sentence?

Use "as he put it" to introduce a quote or paraphrase, like this: "The project was a disaster, "as he put it", "a complete waste of time and resources."

What's a more formal way to say "as he put it"?

For a more formal tone, you can use alternatives like "as he stated", "in his words", or "according to him".

Can "as he put it" be used for both direct quotes and paraphrases?

Yes, "as he put it" can introduce both direct quotations and paraphrases. However, ensure that if it's a paraphrase, it accurately reflects the speaker's intended meaning. You can also use "to quote him" for a direct quotation.

Is it always necessary to use "as he put it" when quoting someone?

No, it's not always necessary. You can also use other phrases or simply integrate the quote into your sentence, depending on the context and your desired emphasis. Other options might be "he said", "he remarked", or similar attribution phrases.