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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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at said

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'at said' is not correct and would not typically be used in written English.
There are other phrases that could be used in its place, such as 'according to', 'as', or 'that is'. For example, "According to the professor, she has read the book several times."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Said application was received at said land office, the entry allowed and numbered 20,234, and a receiver's receipt bearing the same number issued to said defendant.

Said application was received and entered at said land office and continued in force until, on the 21st day of November, 1892, it was canceled at said land office by relinquishment.

"Kwai at!" said one of my friends.

Here is Jack White at said fest.

That's what Sorkin is good at," said James.

"It's something we have to look at," said Moyes.

That is what I am looking at," said Truss.

News & Media

The Guardian

"The second one we looked at," said Mr. Mauro.

News & Media

The New York Times

"He was laughed at," said Bob Maisano, Rolf's current owner.

The pig – AKA the Empress – sniffs imperiously at said pulp.

Show more...

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Mike's our point guard and was another one that had gone unlooked-at," said Byrne.

News & Media

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "at said" in formal writing; replace it with grammatically correct alternatives such as "at the aforementioned" or "at the specified".

Common error

The word "said" is typically used as the past tense of "say". Avoid using it as a determiner (like "the" or "a") before a noun. Instead, use "the aforementioned", "the specified", or rephrase the sentence for clarity.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at said" functions incorrectly as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun. It attempts to specify a location or item that has been previously mentioned, but it fails to do so grammatically. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is not considered standard English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at said" appears surprisingly often, as Ludwig shows, but its widespread use doesn't make it correct. It's generally considered grammatically incorrect because "said" should function as a verb, not a determiner. Instead, rely on clearer alternatives like "at the aforementioned" or "at the specified" to maintain clarity and grammatical accuracy in your writing. As Ludwig AI's analysis confirms, avoiding "at said" is crucial for professional and formal communication.

FAQs

What phrases can I use instead of "at said"?

Instead of "at said", you can use phrases like "at the aforementioned", "at the specified", or simply rephrase the sentence for better clarity. These alternatives offer grammatically correct options for referencing something previously mentioned.

Why is "at said" considered incorrect?

The construction "at said" is generally considered grammatically incorrect because "said" is typically used as a verb, not as a determiner. Using it in place of articles or adjectives can lead to awkward and unclear phrasing. Alternatives like "at the aforementioned" or "at the specified" are preferred.

In what contexts might I encounter the phrase "at said"?

While grammatically questionable, "at said" might appear in legal documents or older texts where a specific, somewhat archaic style is used. However, it's best to avoid it in modern writing and opt for clearer alternatives.

Is there a difference in formality between "at said" and "at the aforementioned"?

Yes, while "at said" is generally considered incorrect, the phrase "at the aforementioned" is a more formal and grammatically accepted way to reference something previously mentioned. Use "at the aforementioned" in formal writing to ensure clarity and correctness.

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Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: