off said

USAGE SUMMARY

"off said" is not a correct phrase to use in a sentence in written English.
The phrase "off said" could potentially be used in spoken English as a shortcut for "off of what was said," but it would not be considered a proper phrase in written English. Instead, you could use "according to what was said" or "as reported." Example: According to what was said at the meeting, the budget was approved unanimously.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Blast off!" said the parrot.

The New Yorker

"The chicken sandwich is off," said a waiter.

Independent

"They're scared and try to show off," said Ramos-Peterson.

The New York Times

"Arwen fell off!" said a very cheerful Pippin.

The New York Times

"The key to the win was blinkers off," said Smith.

Independent

"The deal is off," said the spokesman, Mark Simon.

The New York Times

"I don't know how they pulled it off," said Davies.

Independent

"The adrenaline wears off," said Diefenbach. "But the anticipation doesn't.

The New Yorker

"We thought a bomb had gone off," said Ms Fauld.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"It was a one-off," said the goalkeeper Andy Rhodes.

The Guardian - Sport

"We were sloppy right from the kick-off," said McInnes.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using shortened or colloquial forms like "off said" in formal writing, especially in journalistic or academic contexts where precision and clarity are paramount.

Common error

A common mistake is using informal phrasing like "off said" when a more formal attribution is required. Always opt for clear, grammatically correct alternatives to ensure your message is professional and well-received.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "off said" functions as an attribution, attempting to indicate the source of a statement. However, this usage is grammatically non-standard. Ludwig AI identifies this as an incorrect phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "off said" is frequently found in news and media sources to attribute information, Ludwig AI considers it grammatically incorrect for written English. This non-standard phrasing should be avoided in formal contexts. Instead, opt for clearer, more grammatically correct alternatives such as "according to", "as stated by", or "reported by" to ensure your writing is both credible and professional. The high frequency of this incorrect usage highlights the importance of verifying grammatical correctness, even in widely disseminated sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

according to said

This alternative replaces the preposition "off" with "according to" to create a grammatically correct attribution.

said according to

Reversing the word order to “said according to” provides a sentence that adheres to common English usage patterns when reporting information.

as said by

This alternative substitutes "off" with "as said by" to provide a clearer and more formal attribution.

it was said by

This version uses a passive construction to attribute the statement, which improves grammatical correctness.

based on what said

Using "based on what said" refers to the statement that has been expressed and grounds the current discussion within the source’s perspective.

following what was said

This phrases offers a grammatically correct alternative highlighting the sequence of information from the speaker.

in accordance with said

A more formal phrase to introduce direct statements that are consistent with the source.

consistent with what said

This alternative provides a structure emphasizing alignment and confirmation of the speaker’s ideas in other contexts.

stemming from what was said

This suggests the information originated directly from the speaker, highlighting the origin of the discussion.

reflecting what was said

This option indicates that the ideas being presented are a reflection of and deeply connected with speaker’s statements, thereby enhancing the connection’s clarity.

FAQs

What is a grammatically correct alternative to "off said"?

Instead of "off said", use phrases such as "according to what was "said"", "as "stated by"", or "reported by" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity.

Why is "off said" considered incorrect in formal writing?

"Off said" is an ungrammatical shortening of "off of what was said", often used colloquially. Formal writing requires precise and standard grammatical structures, making "off said" inappropriate.

In what contexts might I encounter the phrase "off said"?

You might encounter "off said" in informal speech or less formal news reporting, but it is best to avoid it in professional or academic writing. Opt for more formal and precise alternatives.

How does using correct grammar enhance credibility in writing?

Using correct grammar, such as employing proper attribution phrases instead of "off said", enhances your credibility by showing attention to detail and respect for language conventions. This makes your writing more trustworthy and professional.