he boasted that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he boasted that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when reporting someone’s prideful or self-satisfied statements about their achievements or abilities. Example: "He boasted that he had completed the marathon in record time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He boasted that the Japanese called him Mr. Yen.

The New Yorker

He boasted that he had doubled aid to the region, to $1.6 billion.

The Economist

Privately, he boasted that he did not know the names of his five main fund-raisers.

The Economist

He boasted that he's summited 28 of Colorado's 14,000-foot 14,000-foot

The New York Times

He boasted that "we have stood up for the British national interest.

The Economist

But he boasted that he was "proud" of this particular vote.

The New Yorker

Stretching a point, he boasted that it was his lot that had brought the commission down.

The Economist

He boasted that he had beaten the supposedly impregnable tunnel security "wearing my flip-flops".

Independent

He boasted that he "stopped reading law books" soon after he started the job.

The New York Times

Yesterday he boasted that sales in the stores refurbished so far were up 3%-5 3%-5%

The Guardian - Business

He boasted that the NHS would receive "the largest investment… since its creation".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he boasted that", ensure the context aligns with the intention to convey pride, self-satisfaction, or even exaggeration in the statement being reported. The term carries a nuanced connotation that should be appropriate for the tone and audience.

Common error

Avoid using "he boasted that" when a neutral reporting verb like "he said that" or "he stated that" would be more appropriate. "Boasted" implies a level of self-aggrandizement that may not always be present or intended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he boasted that" functions as a reporting verb construction. It introduces a statement that the subject made with a sense of pride, self-satisfaction, or even exaggeration. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Examples demonstrate its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he boasted that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to report someone's statement with an implication of pride or exaggeration. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase serves to convey not only the information shared but also the speaker's self-satisfied tone. Alternatives like "he bragged that" or "he proclaimed that" offer similar but nuanced ways to express the same idea. When using "he boasted that", it's crucial to ensure the context warrants the implication of pride to avoid misrepresenting the speaker's intent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he bragged that

Replaces "boasted" with "bragged", implying a more overt and potentially irritating form of self-praise.

he proclaimed that

Uses "proclaimed" instead of "boasted", suggesting a formal and public declaration, potentially with an element of pride.

he asserted that with pride

Replaces "boasted" with "asserted with pride", explicitly including the element of pride in the assertion.

he declared triumphantly that

Employs "declared triumphantly" for "boasted", conveying a sense of victory and accomplishment in the declaration.

he stated with self-satisfaction that

Replaces "boasted" with "stated with self-satisfaction", highlighting the speaker's contentment with their statement.

he touted that

Substitutes "boasted" with "touted", indicating an attempt to promote or praise something, often one's own achievements.

he avowed with conceit that

Replaces "boasted" with "avowed with conceit", expressing an open admission or affirmation, but with an element of vanity.

he vaunted that

Uses "vaunted" instead of "boasted", suggesting an ostentatious or excessive boasting.

he exhibited pride in saying that

Rephrases "boasted that" to "exhibited pride in saying that", focusing on the display of pride rather than the act of boasting.

he made much of the fact that

Replaces "boasted that" with a more indirect expression, suggesting that the speaker emphasized the importance of something.

FAQs

How can I use "he boasted that" in a sentence?

Use "he boasted that" to report a statement made with excessive pride or self-satisfaction. For example, "He boasted that he had single-handedly closed the deal."

What are some alternatives to "he boasted that"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "he bragged that", "he proclaimed that", or "he asserted with pride that".

What is the difference between "he boasted that" and "he said that"?

"He said that" is a neutral way to report a statement. "He boasted that" implies the statement was made with excessive pride or exaggeration. Therefore, "he boasted that" carries a connotation of arrogance, which "he said that" does not.

Is it correct to use "he boasted that", or should I use another phrase?

"He boasted that" is grammatically correct and widely used. However, ensure it accurately reflects the speaker's tone and the context. If the speaker's tone was neutral, a phrase like "he stated that" would be more appropriate.