as someone said

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as someone said" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to attribute a statement or idea to an unspecified person, often to lend credibility or support to the point being made. Example: "The concept of resilience is crucial in overcoming challenges, as someone said, 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.'"

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

For the purposes of this study, an 'older' person was defined as someone 60 years and over.

BMC Psychiatry

(As someone who stands 5-foot-6, weighs 135 pounds and visits the gym twice a week, no, I don't care what I put into my body).

The New York Times

His mobility as someone who stands 6 feet 6 and weighs 232 pounds has been widely questioned, but he's nimbly sidestepped defenders multiple times as a Bruin.

Los Angeles Times

Reacher is seated on a New York subway train, the Lexington Avenue local headed uptown to be precise, as inconspicuous as someone who is 6-foot-5 and built like a refrigerator-freezer can be.

Los Angeles Times

Gone too was the angst which comes with taking to an autobahn with no speed limit in a vehicle with anything less than 200hp and as someone possessing no 3D depth perception.

The Guardian - Tech

As someone who covered 13 of his 14 major titles, the guess here is that his face at Augusta National, beginning with his news conference Monday, will be a mixture of his sudden humility and his accustomed hubris.

The New York Times - Sports

The dispute is clouded by two issues: military authorities define a juvenile as someone younger than 16 years of age, not 18, as do most human rights groups.

The New York Times

While the Royal Mint assures us that replacing one coin with another is not as expensive as we might think, this may be because much of the additional bill – £45m as someone estimated on Radio 4's Today programme (which eerily recalls the number of counterfeit pounds thought to be in circulation) – will, it seems, be paid by business, and by us.

The Guardian - Opinion

Healthcare professionals have been reported as unwilling to talk openly with patients and their families about death and what is likely to happen as someone dies [ 43, 44].

BMC Palliative Care

As someone who spends nearly £80 every 12 days to fill up her Peugeot 307, Jo Callaghan is thankful the chancellor has cancelled the planned 3p a litre rise in fuel duty.

The Guardian - Money

When Windows 10 was released I had high hopes, especially as someone who loathed Windows 8. Ironically, Windows 10 is what sent me packing to set up residence in the Linux world.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "as someone said", ensure the attributed statement is relevant and adds value to your argument, even if the source is unspecified.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on phrases like "as someone said" without providing further context or justification. Overusing vague attributions can weaken your argument and make your writing seem less credible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as someone said" functions as an introductory phrase. It prefaces a statement or idea, attributing it to an unspecified or unnamed source, often to introduce a common saying or well-known thought.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as someone said" serves as a versatile introductory phrase, used to preface a statement or idea by attributing it to an unspecified source. Although Ludwig reports that the phrase is grammatically correct, the lack of examples in the data suggest that its frequency is low. In addition, the ability to improve credibility may be increased by avoiding overuse of this phrase in favor of more authoritative citations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as somebody mentioned

Replaces "someone" with "somebody", providing a slightly more informal tone.

someone once said

Adds a sense of timelessness to the statement, implying it was said in the past and remains relevant.

as it has been said

Emphasizes the traditional or well-known nature of the statement, rather than attributing it to a specific individual.

as a person stated

Substitutes "someone" with "a person" and "said" with "stated", resulting in a more formal and detached style.

a certain person remarked

Uses more formal words such as 'certain person' and 'remarked'.

according to someone

Changes the structure to emphasize the source of the information, while maintaining the anonymity of the source.

in someone's words

Reframes as a direct quotation, emphasizing the specific wording used, rather than an indirect report

as one source indicated

Replaces "someone" with "one source" and "said" with "indicated", making the origin of the information vaguer and more formal.

it's been voiced that

Adopts passive voice. 'voiced' adds slight emphasis on the expression of an opinion or view

it was mentioned that

Shifts the focus from the speaker to the statement itself, using a passive construction to avoid identifying the speaker.

FAQs

How can I use "as someone said" in a sentence?

The phrase "as someone said" is used to introduce a quote or idea without specifying the source. For example, "The importance of perseverance cannot be overstated; as someone said, 'When the going gets tough, the tough get going.'"

What are some alternatives to "as someone said"?

Alternatives include "as somebody mentioned", "according to someone", or "it was mentioned that". The best choice depends on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it better to use "as someone said" or name the specific person?

Naming the specific person is generally better, as it lends more credibility to the statement. Use "as someone said" when the original source is unknown, unimportant, or when you want to keep the focus on the statement itself.

When is it appropriate to use "as someone said" in academic writing?

In academic writing, it's best to cite sources directly whenever possible. Use "as someone said" sparingly, primarily when the original source is genuinely unknown or the statement is a widely known proverb or saying. Even then, consider whether a more specific attribution is possible.