i was said

USAGE SUMMARY

'i was said' is not a grammatically correct sentence in written English.
You could use the phrase 'I was told' or 'They said' instead. Example: I was told to arrive on time, so I made sure to be there early.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"People couldn't remember who I was," said Mr. Michalowicz.

The New York Times

"Of course I was," said Jemajem.

The Guardian

"It's changed everything about who I thought I was," said Parker about this discovery.

Independent

"I told him I'd be there, and I was," said Beverly.

The Guardian - Arts

"I was not the good judge I thought I was," said the 64-year-old.

The Guardian

I was said (wrongly) to have lectured my fellow judges on "how to read a novel".

The Guardian - Books

"That's the kind of kid I was," said Joanna Ferrone, the co-creator of the show.

The New York Times

"I just wanted them to know who I was," said O'Toole, who added she was "a little nervous" about what she had done.

The New York Times

"I thought I'd be more nervous than I was," said Staal, who played 17:17 as part of the second defense pairing with Anton Stralman.

The New York Times - Sports

"Always said hello, asked how I was," said Mary Smith, who bent over a curbside memorial on 103rd Street.

The New York Times

"I was," said Carol Fazio, a nurse, who described raising her granddaughter Christina for her severely bipolar daughter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "i was said" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "i was told" or "they said i was".

Common error

Do not assume that "i was said" is a correct passive voice construction. Remember that the verb "say" requires a direct object; therefore, use constructions like "i was told" to properly convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

"I was said" functions as a passive construction, but it's grammatically incorrect because the verb "say" requires a direct object. Ludwig AI highlights this issue, suggesting alternative phrasing for correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "i was said" is flagged by Ludwig AI as grammatically incorrect. While there are a few examples from sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, they do not legitimize its use. Instead, opt for grammatically sound alternatives like "i was told", "they said i was", or "it was said that i was". Using the incorrect phrase can undermine your credibility, especially in formal contexts. Remember that clear and grammatically correct communication is crucial for effective writing. The limited frequency and the presence of grammatical errors make "i was said" a phrase to avoid.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i was told

This is a direct replacement, changing the passive construction to a more standard form indicating someone informed the speaker.

they said i was

This restructures the sentence to attribute the statement to a third party.

people said i was

This alternative attributes the statement to a non-specified group of individuals.

it was said that i was

This alternative uses an impersonal construction to report what was said about the speaker.

i am said to be

Transforms the original into a 'to be' construction, indicating a generally accepted perception.

it is said of me that i was

This alternative uses an impersonal construction focusing on a past state attributed to the speaker.

i have been said to be

Alternative focuses on the ongoing nature of the characterization.

it has been said that i am

An impersonal construction focusing on what others have stated about the speaker's current state.

the claim was made that i was

This alternative highlights the assertion or declaration about the speaker.

it was reported that i was

This alternative implies an official or formal announcement about the speaker.

FAQs

What is the correct way to express the idea behind "i was said"?

The grammatically correct alternatives include "i was told", "they said i was", or "it was said that i was", depending on the context.

Is "i was said" ever grammatically acceptable?

No, "i was said" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's best to use alternative phrasing.

What are some formal alternatives to "i was said"?

Formal alternatives include "it was reported that i was" or "i am said to be", which provide a more polished and professional tone.

How does "i was told" differ in meaning from "i am said to be"?

"I was told" implies a direct communication to the speaker, while "I am said to be" suggests a general reputation or perception.