bragged that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bragged that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone is boasting or speaking with pride about something they have done or achieved. Example: "She bragged that she had completed the marathon in under three hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The same month, he also bragged that he was a "much bigger businessman" than Mr. Romney.

The New York Times

Mr. Chapin bragged that he had fired 108 people.

The New York Times

Haley bragged that she had opposed the federal stimulus program.

The New York Times

Trump bragged that his money bought off politicians.

The Washington Post

You bragged that you have sexually assaulted women.

The Guardian

He also bragged that people "are scared of me".

The Guardian

Norman Rockwell once bragged that he'd "always been known as The Kid with the Camera Eye".

The New Yorker

"He bragged that he had 'special relationships' with them," Ghaith said.

The New Yorker

He bragged that in his old job as governor, he met with Democrats every week.

The New York Times

Joe bragged that his youngest son, who is 10, was doing some writing of his own.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

His campaign bragged that he was just delivering what he promised: "plain speaking".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bragged that" to convey a sense of boastfulness or pride in a statement, but be mindful of the tone it projects. It can sometimes come across as arrogant or self-aggrandizing.

Common error

Avoid using "bragged that" excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "stated that" or "mentioned that" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bragged that" functions as a reporting verb, indicating how someone conveyed information. It adds a layer of interpretation, suggesting the speaker was boasting or showing off. Examples in Ludwig show its use in reporting various individuals' pronouncements with an implication of arrogance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

This analysis explores the usage of the phrase "bragged that", which, according to Ludwig AI, is grammatically correct and commonly used. It functions as a reporting verb, adding a layer of interpretation by suggesting boastfulness or pride. While versatile, "bragged that" is more frequent in news and media contexts, where reporting on public figures' statements often requires conveying their attitude. Related phrases include "boasted that" and "proclaimed that", each carrying slightly different connotations. When writing, it's best to avoid overuse in formal contexts and consider more neutral alternatives such as "stated that" to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

boasted that

Synonymous with "bragged that", but can sometimes imply a slightly more arrogant tone.

vaunted that

A more formal and less common synonym for "bragged that", emphasizing excessive pride.

proclaimed that

Suggests a formal and often public declaration, possibly with a sense of pride.

trumpeted that

Implies a loud and public announcement, often used to highlight achievements.

gloated that

Suggests taking great, often malicious, pleasure in one's own success or another's misfortune.

showed off that

Less formal and more conversational way to express the act of bragging.

asserted that

Indicates a confident and forceful statement, although not necessarily boastful.

exulted that

Expresses triumphant joy, closely related to boasting but focused on the feeling rather than the act.

professed that

Implies openly declaring something as a strongly held belief.

swore that

While the primary meaning is about affirming under oath, it can take the meaning of "asserted that" which is related to bragging.

FAQs

What does "bragged that" mean?

"Bragged that" means to speak with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about one's achievements, possessions, or qualities. It implies a boastful or arrogant manner of speaking.

What can I say instead of "bragged that"?

You can use alternatives like "boasted that", "proclaimed that", or "asserted that" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "bragged that" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "bragged that" can sound informal and judgmental. In formal writing, consider using more neutral alternatives such as "stated that" or "mentioned that" to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "bragged that" and "stated that"?

"Bragged that" implies a boastful and proud declaration, while "stated that" is a more neutral and objective way of reporting information. The former conveys a sense of arrogance or self-satisfaction, while the latter simply indicates that someone made a statement.