had said like

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had said like" is not standard in written English and may be considered informal or incorrect.
It can be used in casual spoken language to indicate that someone expressed something in a way that was similar to another person's words or style, but it is not appropriate for formal writing. Example: "She had said like it was the best idea ever, but I wasn't convinced."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

I had said like a child.

The New Yorker

Those who would have appreciated support wanted someone like a coach or a buddy to be nearby during the whole stay in the hospital: "When I look back, I would have found it quite nice if they had said like… well, we have a counsellor whom you have met before.

BMC Medical Ethics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"How many of you in the audience own Believe?" (Note that "own" where a subtler mercenary might have said "like").

The Guardian - Music

Each time Americans have said, like abashed children: we've lost our innocence.

The New York Times

I did, as I have said, like it; it is not terrible, it is quite good.

The Guardian

Jim Crace grew up along London's northern perimeter in a housing estate that felt, he has said, like the last building before the countryside began.

The New York Times - Books

The period of these terrors was, he has said, like being cast in "The Testament of Dr. Mabuse": hiding "in a factory... while the machines and room vibrate".

The New Yorker

Some have said, like the Islamic militants have, that they will honor the code of badal and fight.

The New York Times

As I have said like a broken record, Yahoo! has an opportunity to build verticals (see "How To Dig Out Yahoo!'s Treasures").

Forbes

It doesn't always come out the same way because as Hillary has said, like us she is human.

Huffington Post

They've said, like, "Hey, I could not come to this whatsoever, but I'm glad you are doing it".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, avoid using the phrase "had said like". Opt for more grammatically correct alternatives such as "had stated as" or "had mentioned as".

Common error

Avoid using "had said like" in academic papers, business reports, or any professional communication. Its informal nature can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had said like" functions as an informal way to report or paraphrase speech. However, it's grammatically non-standard, and its use is generally discouraged in formal contexts. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is not typical in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had said like" is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English and is best avoided in formal writing. While it may appear in casual speech, more precise and grammatically sound alternatives like "had stated as" or "had mentioned as" are recommended. Ludwig AI flags this usage as non-standard, suggesting that its adoption should be approached with caution, particularly in professional or academic contexts. Its occurrence is relatively rare, and its presence in sources like News & Media may reflect direct quotes rather than recommended usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had stated as

Replaces "said like" with "stated as" for increased formality and grammatical correctness.

had mentioned as

Substitutes "said like" with "mentioned as" to convey a less formal tone while maintaining grammatical accuracy.

had expressed similarly to

Replaces "said like" with a more detailed expression emphasizing the similarity in expression.

had articulated as

Substitutes "said like" with "articulated as" to convey a more formal tone.

had put it like

Replaces "said like" with "put it like" which is grammatically acceptable but still informal.

had remarked similarly

Emphasizes the similarity in the remark rather than the specific wording.

had shared something akin to

Focuses on sharing a related idea instead of directly quoting or paraphrasing.

had communicated in a similar vein

Highlights the similarity in the style or theme of communication.

had conveyed in a kindred manner

Highlights the similarity in the emotion or manner of speaking.

had echoed something to the effect of

Indicates that the person repeated or resembled the original statement.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "had said like"?

You can use alternatives like "had stated as", "had mentioned as", or "had expressed similarly to" depending on the context.

Is "had said like" grammatically correct?

No, "had said like" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal English. It's better to use more standard phrasing.

When is it acceptable to use "had said like"?

It might be acceptable in very informal speech or casual conversation, but it's best to avoid it in writing and formal settings.

How can I correct a sentence that uses "had said like"?

Replace "had said like" with a more appropriate phrase, such as "had stated as" or "had mentioned as", to ensure grammatical accuracy.