said of him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'said of him' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that has been said or written previously about a particular person. For example, "The criticisms said of him were unjustified."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Very proper," she said of him.

The New York Times

That was what was said of him.

The New Yorker

("Kind of cute," one blogger said of him).

The New York Times

Haughey famously said of him: "He's the man.

Independent

"He was always a salesman," Arthur said of him.

The New Yorker

The same can be said of him.

The Guardian

The same may be said of him.

The New York Times

"Always listening," she said of him.

The New York Times

"I appreciated what Johnny Miller said of him," Lyons said.

The New York Times - Sports

But couldn't the same now be said of him?

The New Yorker

One of his lawyers said of him, "I think he's in shock".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "said of him", ensure the context clearly identifies who made the statement and why their opinion is relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "said of him" without clearly identifying the speaker or source. Misattributing a quote can damage your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "said of him" functions as a reporting verb phrase, used to introduce or attribute a statement, opinion, or description to a specific speaker concerning a male individual. Ludwig AI confirms its common use in attributing opinions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "said of him" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to attribute a statement or opinion to a source regarding a male individual. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. As highlighted by Ludwig, the phrase is frequently found in neutral contexts like News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Wiki, suggesting its widespread applicability. When using "said of him", it's important to clearly identify the speaker to maintain clarity and credibility. Alternatives like "commented about him" or "described him as" may be suitable depending on the specific context. It is often used to add an opinion to a description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commented about him

Replaces "said" with "commented," emphasizing a spoken remark or observation.

remarked on his character

Specifically focuses on comments about the person's character or nature.

expressed an opinion of him

Highlights the act of voicing a personal belief or assessment.

described him as

Emphasizes the use of descriptive language to characterize the person.

judged him to be

Implies a more formal or critical evaluation.

observed regarding him

Suggests a careful or attentive noticing and subsequent remark.

noted about him

Indicates something that was recorded or brought to attention.

stated concerning him

Presents a formal declaration or announcement.

related about him

Implies telling a story or recounting information about the person.

expressed thoughts on him

Conveys sharing opinions and reflections about the person

FAQs

How can I use "said of him" in a sentence?

Use "said of him" to introduce a quote or paraphrase someone's opinion about a person. For example, "His colleagues "said of him" that he was a dedicated leader."

What are some alternatives to "said of him"?

Alternatives include "commented about him", "remarked on his character", or "described him as", depending on the specific context.

Is "said of him" formal or informal?

"Said of him" is generally considered neutral to formal, suitable for news articles, biographies, and academic writing. Use alternatives for very informal contexts.

What's the difference between "said of him" and "said about him"?

While similar, "said of him" often introduces a more direct or significant assessment, whereas "said about him" can encompass a broader range of remarks. The phrase "said of him" directly connects the statement to his qualities or actions.