literally said

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "literally said" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it similarly to the phrase "actually said" to emphasize that the words were actually spoken. For example, "My boss literally said 'you're fired'".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"People literally said: 'Where are you?

The New York Times

He literally said 'Boop' when he did it.

Independent

"I literally said, 'Sir, are you kidding?' " Ms. Rodriguez recalled.

The New York Times

"It's like punk rock, literally," said Sanaç.

The Guardian

"Halfway through, I literally said: 'Yes, this is it.

The New York Times

Our production team contacted them and they literally said, 'Who?

The Guardian - Film

Pizarro literally said: 'What the fuck are you doing?,' with his hands down at his sides.

The Guardian - Sport

"We did not follow their directions literally," said Al-Sudani's editor, Diaa Bilal.

The New York Times

"I just wasn't able to stay on two feet, literally," said the five-time champion of her recent Melbourne disappointments.

Independent

"He literally said, 'Well I can clearly see you went well over budget.' " But he later apologized, she said triumphantly.

The New York Times

"That's taking it too literally," said Caitlin Thomas, head of brand advertising at Barclays.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "literally said" to emphasize that you are quoting someone's exact words, especially when those words might be surprising or impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "literally" when you mean figuratively or for general emphasis. "Literally" should only be used when the statement is true in the most strict and factual sense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "literally said" functions as a verb phrase used to report direct speech. It emphasizes that the speaker used the exact words being quoted. As Ludwig AI points out, it underscores the accuracy and verbatim nature of the statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "literally said" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to emphasize that the words being quoted are the speaker's exact words. While it's most frequently found in News & Media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. To avoid misuse, it is important to use the adverb "literally" when you are stating facts and not to create emphasis. Related phrases such as "actually said" or "explicitly stated" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

actually said

Replaces "literally" with "actually", focusing on the fact that the words were spoken.

directly said

Focuses on the absence of intermediaries in the communication.

explicitly stated

Emphasizes the clarity and directness of the statement.

said word for word

Emphasizes that the quoted statement is an exact rendering of what was said.

in his exact words

Stresses the use of the speaker's precise language.

verbatim quote

Highlights the use of the exact words spoken.

genuinely said

Focuses on the authenticity of the utterance.

precisely articulated

Emphasizes the accuracy and detail of the statement.

unequivocally expressed

Highlights the lack of ambiguity in the statement.

made the statement

A more neutral way of reporting that someone said something.

FAQs

How to use "literally said" in a sentence?

Use "literally said" when you want to emphasize that you are quoting someone's exact words. For example, "The manager "literally said", 'You're getting a promotion!'"

What can I say instead of "literally said"?

You can use alternatives like "actually said", "explicitly stated", or "directly said" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "literally said"?

While "said" implies words were spoken, "literally said" emphasizes the exactness of the quotation. It isn't always necessary, but it can be useful for highlighting specific language.

What's the difference between "literally said" and "figuratively said"?

"Literally said" means the words were exactly as quoted. "Figuratively said" would be contradictory, as "figuratively" implies a non-literal meaning. You might instead say "implied" or "suggested".