said him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'said him' is not correct and not usable in written English.
If you want to indicate that someone said something to a person, you should use the phrase 'said to him'. For example: "He said to him that he should start looking for a new job."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

"I had no choice," said Him Huy, 53.

The New York Times

"At the time Duch was sitting under a tree while the guards were killing the prisoners," said Him Huy.

The Guardian

The chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, Gen Joseph Dunford, said Him Shinshar was "the primary location of Syrian sarin and precursor production equipment".

The Guardian

"Just having the amount of debt we have is offensive to a lot of people," said Him, the blog's other half.

The New York Times

ANLONG SAN, Cambodia — "We were victims, too," said Him Huy, the head of the guard detail at the Tuol Sleng torture house, who took part in the executions of thousands of people at a Khmer Rouge killing field.

The New York Times

"Larry said him".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

I was going to say him, too".

The New Yorker

I can't say tell him to use a condom.

BMC Women's Health

He said for him.

The New Yorker

"Hey," Shortz said, overhearing him.

The New Yorker

"She looks good," I said to him.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "said to him" instead of "said him". The preposition "to" is essential for grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid omitting the preposition "to" after "said" when indicating the recipient of the speech. "Said him" is ungrammatical; instead, use "said to him".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "said him" functions as an incorrect attempt to describe an act of communication. The correct form requires the preposition 'to' to properly indicate the recipient of the communication, as highlighted by Ludwig AI. Thus, the intended function is to express a statement directed towards someone, but the grammar is flawed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

8%

Reference

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "said him" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI indicates, the correct form is "said to him". While some instances appear in various sources, they are likely errors or reflect non-standard usage. It's crucial to include the preposition "to" to clearly indicate the recipient of the communication. Using correct grammar ensures clarity and professionalism in writing and speech. Given its grammatical issues and limited appropriate usage, it's best to avoid "said him" in favor of its corrected form.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

said to him

Corrects the grammatical structure to the standard English form.

told him

Replaces "said" with "told", which is often interchangeable but requires a direct object.

mentioned to him

Indicates a brief or casual communication.

related to him

Implies a narration or detailed account.

communicated to him

Suggests a formal or structured transmission of information.

conveyed to him

Highlights the act of passing on information or feelings.

expressed to him

Emphasizes the sharing of thoughts or feelings.

intimated to him

Suggests a subtle or indirect way of communicating.

declared to him

Implies a formal or emphatic statement.

announced to him

Refers to a public or official communication.

FAQs

How to use "said" correctly when indicating the person being spoken to?

Always use the structure "said to [person]". For example, "He "said to her"", "She "said to them"", or "I "said to John"".

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

The correct alternative is "said to him". The preposition "to" is necessary to indicate the recipient of the statement.

Is there a difference in meaning between "said to him" and "told him"?

While often interchangeable, "told him" usually implies conveying information, while "said to him" focuses on the act of speaking the words. "Told" requires a direct object.

When is it appropriate to use "said him"?

It is generally not appropriate to use "said him" in standard English. It is considered grammatically incorrect. Use "said to him" instead.