he said that

USAGE SUMMARY

"He said that" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to give attribution to a statement or quote someone. For example, "He said that he was going to the store later today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He said, "that was good".

The New York Times - Sports

He said that was impossible.

The New Yorker

He said that was "unbelievable".

The New York Times

But, he said, that may be changing.

The New York Times

He said: "That is him all over.

Independent

But he said that was unlikely.

The New York Times

"Frankly," he said, "that is spectacular".

The New York Times - Science

He said that could take days.

Independent

"Come on," he said, "that means us".

The New York Times

Now, he said, that might be possible.

The New York Times

"He said: 'That is exactly what happened.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your reporting verbs (stated, mentioned, noted) to avoid repetition and convey different nuances in the way information was communicated.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring the clause following "he said that" directly and clearly reflects what was said. Misplaced modifiers can unintentionally alter the meaning.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "he said that" is to introduce reported speech or indirect quotations. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage, as demonstrated by numerous examples in the provided data.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he said that" serves as a versatile tool for reporting speech or conveying information attributed to an individual. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in News & Media. When writing, remember to ensure clarity in identifying the subject and to consider using a variety of reporting verbs for stylistic variation. Avoid misplaced modifiers, which may cause unintended ambiguity. Alternatives like "he stated that" or "according to him" offer stylistic choices depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he added that

Indicates supplementary information to a previous statement.

he stated that

More formal and emphasizes a deliberate announcement.

he explained that

Suggests a detailed clarification or justification.

he reported that

Suggests a formal communication of information.

he noted that

Implies a brief observation or comment.

he revealed that

Suggests the uncovering of previously unknown information.

he mentioned that

Indicates a casual or incidental remark.

he claimed that

Implies a potentially disputed or unverified assertion.

according to him

Offers a more concise attribution, suitable for paraphrasing.

in his words

Highlights a direct quotation or specific phrasing.

FAQs

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

Use "he said that" to report someone's statement, for example, "He said that he would arrive later."

What are some alternatives to "he said that"?

You can use alternatives like "he stated that", "he mentioned that", or "according to him" to vary your writing.

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

While grammatically correct, "that" is often omitted in informal speech and writing. However, including it can improve clarity in complex sentences.

What's the difference between "he said that" and "he claimed that"?

"He said that" is a neutral reporting phrase, while "he claimed that" implies the statement might be disputed or unverified.