openly said

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "openly said" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that was expressed candidly or without concealment. Example: "During the meeting, she openly said that she disagreed with the proposed changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Green has openly said that she relishes a tough job.

The Guardian

Many Republican and Democratic senators have openly said that cuts of that magnitude are unacceptable.

The New York Times

He writes: "George Bush openly said that he preferred conservative jurists.

The New York Times - Books

"If we need to make tax rises this year we will do it openly," said a source.

Independent

The referendum is being held peacefully, freely and openly," said the Spanish nationalist MP.

The Guardian

Life was very difficult and people started criticising the government openly," said Song Eun-byul.

The Guardian

"My mom has openly said she was hesitant to have him run again.

The New York Times

But people voted with these fears in their minds, and openly said so.

The Guardian - Opinion

But governing party officials have openly said that is their plan.

The New York Times

Which Erdoğan openly said "people want it, and I want it".

The Guardian

His killers openly said they had murdered him but they weren't charged.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "openly said" when you want to emphasize that someone stated something directly and without any attempt to hide or conceal their views. It suggests a level of honesty and transparency.

Common error

Avoid using "openly said" in highly formal or academic writing. While it is perfectly acceptable in news and general contexts, more formal alternatives like "stated explicitly" or "declared publicly" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "openly said" functions as a reporting verb phrase, indicating that someone has made a statement in a candid or unconcealed manner. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly used and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "openly said" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that someone has made a statement candidly and without concealment. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While primarily found in News & Media contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for general communication, though formal alternatives may be preferred in academic settings. Consider using alternatives like "stated frankly" or "declared publicly" based on the formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stated frankly

Emphasizes the directness and honesty of the statement.

expressed candidly

Highlights the sincerity and lack of reservation in the expression.

declared publicly

Focuses on the public nature and formal declaration of the statement.

avowed openly

Implies a strong and confident declaration of belief or intention.

revealed without hesitation

Stresses the immediacy and lack of doubt in the disclosure.

professed unequivocally

Highlights the clarity and certainty of the professed statement.

acknowledged plainly

Emphasizes the straightforward and uncomplicated nature of the acknowledgement.

divulged freely

Suggests a willingness and openness in sharing the information.

articulated straightforwardly

Focuses on the clarity and directness of the articulation.

confessed without reservation

Implies admission of something, often with a sense of vulnerability.

FAQs

What does "openly said" mean?

"Openly said" means to state something in a candid and unreserved manner, without hiding or concealing the information or opinion. It implies honesty and transparency in communication.

What can I say instead of "openly said"?

You can use alternatives like "stated frankly", "expressed candidly", or "declared publicly" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "openly said" in formal writing?

While "openly said" is grammatically correct and widely used, it may be more suitable for news articles, general communication, and less formal contexts. In academic or highly formal writing, consider using phrases like "stated explicitly" or "declared publicly".

How to use "openly said" in a sentence?

You can use "openly said" in a sentence like: "The CEO "openly said" that the company was facing financial challenges." or "The witness "openly said" they had seen the suspect at the scene of the crime."