had said that

USAGE SUMMARY

"had said that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that someone previously said at a past point in time. For example: She had said that the presentation would start at 5:00 pm, but when we arrived the room was empty.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

It had said that would happen by early 2011.

The New York Times

Dad had said, That was none of your business.

The New Yorker

That's where I had said that was an insult.

The New York Times - Sports

Marsha had said that was a good word to use.

The New York Times

However it did not specify exactly what Contee had said that was incorrect.

TechCrunch

Glazier had said that his grandmother smoked in the car.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Never have said that word.

The New Yorker

"We've said that right?

The New York Times

Having said that, we have protected nothing.

The New York Times

Having said that, I'm behind Kate Garraway.

Independent

Having said that, combining M.&A.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had said that", ensure the context clearly establishes the past perfect tense. This tense is used to indicate an action completed before another point in the past. For example: "By the time the meeting started, she "had said that" she would be late."

Common error

Avoid using "had said that" when a simple past tense ("said") is sufficient. The past perfect tense should only be used when indicating that the saying occurred before another action in the past. Using past perfect when not necessary makes a text excessively verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had said that" functions as a reporting verb phrase, used to relay information or statements made by someone in the past. As demonstrated by Ludwig, this construction places the original statement in a past-before-past relationship to the main clause.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

19%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had said that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for reporting past statements, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is particularly useful for clarifying the sequence of events in the past and is found in diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to academic writing. While its usage is widespread, it's crucial to employ it accurately, ensuring it reflects the past perfect tense correctly. Consider alternatives such as "stated previously" or "mentioned earlier" for conciseness and clarity. By paying attention to tense and context, you can effectively incorporate "had said that" into your writing, enhancing its clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reported earlier

This alternative is commonly used in journalistic contexts to refer to previously published information.

mentioned earlier

This alternative highlights the fact that the statement was made at an earlier time.

noted before

This alternative suggests that the information was brought to attention or observed earlier.

stated previously

This alternative is more concise and emphasizes the prior nature of the statement.

expressed previously

This alternative is a broader term that encompasses various ways of conveying information.

indicated before

This alternative suggests a less direct form of communication than "said".

conveyed earlier

This alternative focuses on the transmission of information rather than the specific words used.

asserted previously

This alternative implies a more forceful or confident declaration.

declared in the past

This alternative emphasizes the act of making a formal or official statement.

testified earlier that

It specifies that the statement was made under oath in a legal setting. It is also more specific and formal.

FAQs

How do I use "had said that" in a sentence?

Use "had said that" to report something someone said at an earlier point in the past, emphasizing that it happened before another past event. For example: "He "had said that" he would arrive by noon, but he was still not here by 3 PM".

What are some alternatives to "had said that"?

Alternatives include "mentioned earlier", "stated previously", or "indicated before", depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it always necessary to include "that" after "had said"?

No, the "that" is often optional and omitting it can make the sentence flow more smoothly, especially in informal contexts. Both "He "had said that" he would come" and "He had said he would come" are grammatically correct.

What's the difference between "said that" and "had said that"?

"Said that" generally refers to something said at a specific point in the past, while ""had said that"" indicates something said at a point in the past prior to another event also in the past. The latter emphasizes the sequence of events.