he uttered that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he uttered that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when quoting someone. For example, "John muttered under his breath, 'I can't believe this happened,' and then he uttered that he would never forgive them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The other sentences he uttered that week — apart from the endless iterations of "I have nothing on that" and "I'll have to get back to you" — were, when rendered in written language, somewhere between incredible and incomprehensible.

The New Yorker

Also, he is an unrepentant ham and when I asked him if he wanted me to devote this week's column to him, he squeezed my hand and grunted one of the three words that he uttered that entire day which was yes.

Huffington Post

No sooner had he uttered that phrase than he took it back, desperate to clarify that he was joking — that he would never really consider something so, well, vain.

The New York Times - Arts

Who didn't feel a twinge of sympathy for Romney when he uttered that now famous line about how the trees in Michigan are just the right height"?

Huffington Post

The trial judge, A.E. Hawkins, a dignified, fine-looking, gray-haired Southern gentleman, who was absolutely convinced in his own mind that he had done everything to give the Negroes a fair trial, gave himself away so obviously at every other sentence he uttered, that any person with mind unclouded by the prejudice which infected him could have pointed it out.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

(I've found no compelling evidence that he ever uttered that nifty aphorism. No matter — the line is too good to resist).

The New York Times

Among the many lines he repeatedly uttered that arguably rival those of Shakespeare in terms of familiarity, if not intellectual depth: "Eh... what's up, Doc?" through the lips of the wiseacre hare, Bugs Bunny; "I tawt I taw a putty tat," from the tart-tongued canary Tweety, and "SSSSSsssuffering SSSSSuccotash," courtesy of Sylvester the sloppy cat.

Los Angeles Times

He utters that last phrase not with exhaustion, but with excitement.

The New York Times

But this Cooper-prime character, with his blankness and his imitative bellow ("Hellooo-ooo-ooo," three syllables, already a meme), is also a figure of pathos and a mirror of indifference: he keeps repeating the one phrase that Jade left him with—"Call for help"—and not one of the many people he encounters in the casino, to whom he utters that seemingly unambiguous phrase, calls for help.

The New Yorker

He is asked if he knows what uttering that sentence will mean.

The New York Times - Sports

Even with a big lead, when he hooked his tee shot on the 18th in the second round onto the rocks of Carmel Bay, he uttered expletives that were heard on television.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he uttered that" when you want to add a slightly formal or literary tone to the act of someone speaking, especially when reporting direct quotes or significant statements.

Common error

Avoid using "he uttered that" in very casual or informal contexts; "he said that" is often more appropriate for everyday speech or writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he uttered that" functions as a reporting clause, introducing a statement or quote. It signifies the act of speaking, with "uttered" lending a slightly more formal or deliberate tone than simpler alternatives. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he uttered that" is grammatically sound, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, and serves as a reporting clause, indicating that a male individual spoke something. While correct, it is not particularly common, leaning towards a formal tone. Its primary use is found in news and media contexts to report statements, often with an implication of formality or significance. For more casual settings, phrases like "he said that" might be more fitting, while alternatives such as "he declared that" can be considered for emphasizing the formality of the statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

He said that

The simplest and most direct alternative, using the verb "said" instead of "uttered".

He stated that

Replaces "uttered" with "stated", which is a more neutral and common way to report someone's words.

He remarked that

Replaces "uttered" with "remarked", suggesting a casual or brief statement.

He declared that

Uses "declared" instead of "uttered", implying a more formal or emphatic pronouncement.

He announced that

Suggests a formal and public statement, replacing "uttered" with "announced".

He proclaimed that

Indicates a very formal and often ceremonial statement, replacing "uttered" with "proclaimed".

He voiced that

Focuses on the act of expressing something, replacing "uttered" with "voiced".

He expressed that

Emphasizes the conveyance of a thought or feeling, replacing "uttered" with "expressed".

He conveyed that

Highlights the communication of information, replacing "uttered" with "conveyed".

He communicated that

Focuses on the successful transmission of a message, replacing "uttered" with "communicated".

FAQs

What does "he uttered that" mean?

The phrase "he uttered that" means that a male person spoke or expressed something. "Uttered" implies a formal or deliberate act of speaking.

When is it appropriate to use "he uttered that"?

It's appropriate to use "he uttered that" when describing a formal, important or deliberate statement. It's more formal than simply saying "he said that".

What are some alternatives to "he uttered that"?

Alternatives include "he stated that", "he remarked that", "he declared that", or "he expressed that", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Is "he uttered that" grammatically correct?

Yes, "he uttered that" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure and verb conjugation.