has said

USAGE SUMMARY

"has said" is correct as a verb phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that someone we know has stated something previously. For example, "The Prime Minister has said that the country will go into lockdown for two weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

China has said little.

The New York Times

Obama has said little.

The New Yorker

He has said "we".

The New Yorker

The company has said little.

The Economist

[David] Cameron has said nothing.

Independent

"What poet has said so much?

The New York Times

"The eyes are listening," he has said.

The New Yorker

His family, devastated, has said little.

The New York Times

China has said this, and more, before.

The Economist

He has said his views are "evolving".

The New York Times

(So far, the universe has said no).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has said" when you want to report what someone previously stated, ensuring it is clear who made the statement and when it was made.

Common error

Avoid using "has said" when referring to something someone is currently saying. Use "is saying" or "says" instead for present actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has said" functions as a present perfect verb phrase. It indicates an action (saying something) that was completed at an unspecified time in the past or that started in the past and continues to have relevance in the present. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has said" functions as a present perfect verb phrase that serves to report or reiterate information previously communicated. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and very common across diverse contexts, with its strongest presence in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, its frequency and broad applicability make it a versatile tool for expressing past statements with present relevance. Alternatives include "stated", "mentioned", and "expressed". When using "has said", remember to confirm that the action started in the past and continues to have relevance in the present. Also, remember to avoid it if you are referring to something someone is currently saying, use "is saying" or "says" instead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stated

This is a direct synonym, implying a formal or official declaration.

declared

Similar to stated, but with a stronger emphasis on certainty and formality.

expressed

Conveys the act of conveying a thought or feeling.

asserted

Implies a firm and confident statement of fact or belief.

remarked

Suggests a comment made, often in passing.

noted

A formal way of saying 'mentioned' or 'observed'.

mentioned

Indicates a brief or casual reference to something.

pointed out

Highlights a specific detail or fact.

indicated

Implies a suggestion or hint, not always a direct statement.

related

Suggests telling a story or giving an account of events.

FAQs

How to use "has said" in a sentence?

Use "has said" to indicate that someone previously made a statement. For example, "The expert "stated" that the economy would improve next year".

What can I say instead of "has said"?

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

Which is correct, "has said" or "had said"?

"Has said" is used for actions that have relevance to the present, while "had said" refers to something said earlier in the past, with no connection to present.

What's the difference between "has said" and "says"?

"Has said" refers to a past statement with ongoing relevance, while "says" generally refers to something someone is saying now or regularly says. The New York Times "mentions" the difference between the two.