he was said

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was said" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used when someone is talking about another person and their actions or qualities have been reported by someone else. Example: "He was said to be the top performer in the company last year." In this sentence, someone is reporting what others have said about the person being discussed. Another example: "He was said to have a kind heart and always help those in need." Here, the speaker is relaying information about the person's character as reported by others.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He was, said Capello afterwards, "incredible".

Independent

He was said to be insensitive.

The New York Times

He was said to have heroin in his possession.

The New York Times

He was said to be in his 30s.

The New York Times

He was said to have later reneged on the offer.

The New York Times

He was said to be in mourning during this time.

The New York Times

He was said to have been denied proper medical care.

The New York Times

He was said to do quite well with women.

The New York Times - Books

He was said he was frustrated, but not outraged.

The New York Times

He was said to be as agile as a cat.

The New Yorker

"Show me mercy!" he was said to have cried.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Maintain consistency in tense when using "he was said". Ensure that the following verb form aligns with the intended timeline of events.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses inconsistently after "he was said". For instance, instead of saying "He was said to went to the store", use "He was said to have gone to the store" to maintain grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was said" functions as a passive construction used for reporting information attributed to an unspecified source. This reporting verb construction allows the speaker to relay information without explicitly naming who made the statement. Ludwig provides numerous examples from various news sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he was said" is a commonly used passive construction for reporting information without directly attributing it to a specific source. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness, highlighting its prevalence in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure consistency in tense and be mindful of potential errors in verb conjugation. Alternatives like "he reportedly" or "it was reported that he" can provide stylistic variation. The analysis shows that most authoritative sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC frequently employ this expression. Remember to maintain a neutral register and check for accurate verb tense to correctly use "he was said".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was reported that he

This alternative uses a more formal tone and emphasizes the act of reporting.

he reportedly

This is a more concise way of expressing the same idea, using an adverb to indicate reported information.

it is alleged that he

This alternative implies that the information is not yet proven and may be subject to dispute.

according to reports, he

This alternative explicitly mentions the existence of reports as the basis for the information.

he was rumored to

This alternative suggests that the information is based on hearsay or speculation.

he was believed to

This alternative suggests that people held a certain belief about the person.

sources indicated he

This alternative highlights the presence of sources providing the information.

the word was that he

This alternative uses a more colloquial expression to convey reported information.

it was understood that he

This alternative implies a general understanding or consensus about the person.

people claimed he

This alternative indicates that individuals made claims about the person.

FAQs

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

Use "he was said" to report what others have stated or believed about someone. For example, "He was said to be a talented musician" indicates that people have expressed this opinion.

What phrases are similar to "he was said"?

Alternatives include "he reportedly", "it was reported that he", or "he was believed to", each conveying a slightly different nuance of reported information.

Is it correct to say "he was said that"?

No, "he was said that" is grammatically incorrect. The correct structure is "he was said to be" or "he was said to have". For example, "He was said to be a good leader" is correct.

What's the difference between "he was said to" and "it was said that"?

"He was said to" focuses on the person, while "it was said that" emphasizes the statement. "He was said to be rich" highlights his alleged wealth, whereas "It was said that he was rich" focuses on the claim itself.