it was said

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was said" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a quotation or to refer to an earlier remark that was made. For example, "It was said that 'all good things come to those who wait.'".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A nice touch, that "it was said".

The New York Times - Books

Or so it was said.

The Economist

It was said that Pres.

The New Yorker

So it was said.

The Washington Post

It was said to be enduringly blissful.

The Economist

Ramprakash, it was said, cared too much.

Independent

It was said to grant wishes.

The New York Times

It was said to be 17 times.

Independent

Once it was said, "Be yourself".

The New York Times - Arts

There it was: said.

The Guardian

I can't even express how cool it was," said Dandavate.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was said" when you want to report information without specifying the source, creating a sense of distance or generality. This is useful in both formal writing and informal contexts where precise attribution isn't necessary or possible.

Common error

Avoid using "it was said" repeatedly in close proximity; diversify your reporting verbs and phrases (e.g., "reports indicate", "sources claim") to maintain reader engagement and stylistic variation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was said" functions as a reporting clause, attributing a statement or piece of information to an unspecified source. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard construction for conveying information without direct attribution.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

22%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was said" is a versatile phrase used to report information from an unspecified source, suitable for a variety of contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically sound and very common, particularly in news and academic writing. While its neutral tone makes it widely applicable, avoid overuse by diversifying with alternatives like "it has been reported" or "sources say". By understanding its function and communicative purpose, writers can effectively employ "it was said" to convey information with appropriate detachment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has been reported

Formalizes the attribution, focusing on the act of reporting.

reports indicate

Suggests information is based on documented reports.

sources say

Attributes the information to multiple, unnamed sources.

it's believed

Indicates a common belief, without specific evidence.

people say

Attributes the information to general public opinion.

it is alleged

Emphasizes a lack of definitive proof or confirmation.

the claim is

Highlights a statement whose veracity is not yet established.

it is rumored

Implies the information is circulating informally and may not be reliable.

allegedly

Briefly conveys that a statement is unproven or questionable.

the word is

Informal way to introduce a prevailing opinion or piece of news.

FAQs

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

You can use "it was said" to introduce information attributed to an unspecified source. For example, "It was said that the meeting was productive".

What are some alternatives to "it was said"?

Alternatives include "it has been reported", "sources say", or "it is alleged", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "it was said" formal or informal?

"It was said" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal options like "it has been reported" may be preferred in academic or professional writing.

What does "it was said" imply about the source of the information?

"It was said" implies that the information comes from an unspecified or general source. The speaker or writer might not know the exact source, or may choose not to reveal it.