by saying about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by saying about" is not correct and does not work in written English.
It is not a standard construction and may lead to confusion or ambiguity in meaning. Example: "He was unclear by saying about his plans for the weekend."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Mr. O'Leary defended that by saying about 30percentt of customers buy the chrome anyway.

The New York Times

The next morning, when Melinda's test results turned out normal, I tried to lighten the mood by saying, "About last night: I'm going to want a ring with a dotted line on it.

The New York Times

Phil Jackson, the Lakers coach, registered the team's resigned displeasure with Bryant's approach to his injuries by saying, about tests like the M.R.I. and X-ray, "We're trying to convince him that it might be a good idea".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

One afternoon, as I passed a fellow rider somewhat my junior -- by, say, about 30 years -- I threw him a fraternal salute.

The New York Times - Style

It is possible therefore that if the DTNBP1 disease associated alleles are present in high frequency and only differ in frequency by, say about 5% between cases and controls then the proportion of DTNBP1 associated schizophrenic individuals in our sample may be too small to detect linkage disequilibrium.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

By 2000, he said, about 150 artists were ensconced downtown.

The New York Times

I am amused though by Pincus saying about the companies "all of which have high Better Business Bureau ratings".

TechCrunch

He has done this by saying little about the euro and lots about the merits of Britain remaining a member of the EU.

The Economist

When Hitchcock was asked about a strategy of subtly bumping Belfour, he answered vaguely by saying something about rebounds.

The New York Times - Sports

By saying nothing about how he intends to do so, Dr Kim has made a bad start.

The Economist

No one ever celebrated a big sale by saying, "How about chicken?" Stag parties do not feature two-inch slabs of haddock.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "by saying about" in formal writing. Opt for more grammatically sound alternatives such as "by stating" or "by mentioning" to ensure clarity and professionalism.

Common error

Do not combine "saying about". It is grammatically incorrect. Use "saying" followed by a direct quote or rephrase using "stating" or "mentioning" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by saying about" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. While it attempts to connect a method of communication with a topic, it doesn't conform to standard English usage. Ludwig AI identifies this as a non-standard construction, suggesting alternatives for clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by saying about" is grammatically incorrect and non-standard in English. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it's not a conventional construction, which often leads to ambiguity. While the phrase appears sporadically in sources like news media, its limited and questionable usage suggests it should be avoided. It's recommended to use alternatives such as "by stating", "by mentioning", or rephrasing the sentence for enhanced clarity. As Ludwig analysis points out, sticking to grammatically sound alternatives is essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by stating about

Focuses on the act of stating something regarding a topic.

by commenting about

Emphasizes a brief remark or opinion on a subject.

by remarking on

Highlights a specific observation or comment made.

by mentioning

Suggests a brief reference to something.

in reference to

Indicates that the following statement relates to a particular topic.

regarding

Introduces the subject that is being discussed.

concerning

Similar to 'regarding', but can imply a more formal context.

when speaking about

Emphasizes the context of a conversation or speech.

by talking about

Suggests a more casual or informal discussion.

when discussing

Emphasizes a more in-depth exploration of a topic.

FAQs

How can I avoid using "by saying about" in a sentence?

Replace "by saying about" with phrases like "by stating", "by mentioning", or "by commenting about" for improved grammatical correctness and clarity. For example, instead of "He clarified by saying about his intentions", try "He clarified "by stating his intentions"".

What are some better alternatives to "by saying about"?

Consider using alternatives such as "by stating", "by mentioning", or "in reference to". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "by saying about" grammatically correct?

No, "by saying about" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use a more direct and grammatically sound construction such as "by saying that" or to rephrase the sentence using "stating" or "mentioning".

What's the difference between "by saying about" and "by saying that"?

"By saying about" is not a standard or grammatically correct construction. "By saying that" introduces a direct quote or a reported statement, whereas "by stating" or "by mentioning" can be used to introduce a summary or a specific point.