explicitly said

USAGE SUMMARY

"explicitly said" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize or clarify the exact words someone has said. For example: "I think we should move to the suburbs," John explicitly said.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both have explicitly said this would be a 'deal-breaker'.

The Guardian

"He never explicitly said that he was not on drugs.

The New Yorker

Instead, men explicitly said, "We don't take women on here".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Discomfitingly, the bank explicitly said notes should not be taken at the meeting.

The Economist

I wouldn't congratulate a woman until she explicitly said she was pregnant.

The New Yorker

But Mr. Romney has explicitly said he would not do that.

The New York Times

That right can be limited, the court explicitly said, with reasonable restrictions.

The New York Times

Hence, it explicitly said the situation with UKJFF could change in coming months.

The Guardian - Opinion

"He explicitly said this has to be absolutely confidential," a federal official said.

The New York Times

Some schools have explicitly said they shape their budgets to make themselves look better in rankings.

The New York Times

The judge explicitly said the custodial sentence was designed to "reflect public outrage" at his crime.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "explicitly said" to highlight when someone's exact words are important or when emphasizing that a statement was made directly and without implication.

Common error

Avoid using "explicitly said" when the statement was implied or suggested rather than directly expressed. Reserve it for situations where the exact wording is significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explicitly said" functions as a reporting verb phrase, indicating that someone has made a direct and unambiguous statement. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase introduces a specific assertion or declaration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "explicitly said" is a commonly used phrase to emphasize the directness and clarity of a statement. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and is frequently found in news, science, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the statement was indeed directly expressed, avoiding its misuse for implied or suggested meanings. As suggested by Ludwig AI, "explicitly said" indicates that someone has made a direct and unambiguous statement, and as such can be replaced with alternative phrases such as "clearly stated" or "distinctly said" to achieve the same purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distinctly said

Emphasizes clarity and precision in the statement, highlighting how the message was articulated in a clear and unambiguous manner.

clearly stated

Focuses on the lucidity of the message, ensuring the information was easy to understand and without any ambiguity.

plainly asserted

Highlights the straightforward nature of the declaration, indicating the absence of embellishments or hidden meanings.

emphatically declared

Stresses the force and conviction behind the statement, suggesting the speaker's strong belief or determination.

definitely affirmed

Indicates a strong confirmation or agreement, reinforcing the certainty of the information conveyed.

flatly denied

Used to express a direct and firm rejection or disavowal, conveying a sense of finality and refusal.

unambiguously conveyed

Focuses on the clarity of the message, assuring there was no room for misinterpretation or uncertainty.

precisely articulated

Highlights the accuracy and meticulousness in the way the message was delivered, indicating attention to detail.

categorically maintained

Implies the speaker firmly and without conditions stood by their statement, emphasizing its unchangeable nature.

unequivocally expressed

Underscores the certainty and absence of doubt in the message, ensuring it was conveyed in a manner that left no room for questioning.

FAQs

How can I use "explicitly said" in a sentence?

Use "explicitly said" to emphasize that someone made a direct statement, leaving no room for interpretation. For example, "The witness "explicitly said" he saw the suspect leave the building".

What are some alternatives to "explicitly said"?

You can use alternatives like "clearly stated", "distinctly said", or "plainly asserted" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the specific nuance you want to express.

When is it appropriate to use "explicitly said" over other similar phrases?

Use "explicitly said" when you want to emphasize that the statement was made directly and without any ambiguity or implication. It's best when the exact words used are important.

Is it redundant to use "explicitly stated said"?

Yes, using "explicitly stated said" is redundant because "stated" and "said" are synonyms in this context. It's better to use just ""explicitly said"" or "explicitly stated" for clarity.