said that

USAGE SUMMARY

"said that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are quoting someone who has made a statement or when you are referring to something that has been said in the past. For example: My teacher said that if I worked hard, I would do well on the exam.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They said that: everyone said that.

The New Yorker

Who said that?

Independent

"We've said that right?

The New York Times

Mr. Cohen said that Ms.

The New York Times

"She said: 'That can't happen.

The New York Times

Navarro said: "That is rare.

The New York Times - Sports

They said that was perverse.

The New York Times - Sports

Never have said that word.

The New Yorker

No officer said that happened.

Independent

He said, "that was good".

The New York Times - Sports

He said that was impossible.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your reporting verbs to avoid monotony; while "said that" is perfectly acceptable, using alternatives like "stated that" or "mentioned that" can enhance your writing.

Common error

While "said that" is grammatically correct, it can sound less sophisticated in formal writing. Consider stronger verbs such as "asserted that" or "maintained that" to convey a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "said that" primarily functions as a reporting verb construction. It introduces reported speech, relaying information or statements made by someone. Ludwig confirms its common use in this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "said that" functions as a standard reporting verb construction used to relay information or attribute statements to a source. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly employed, especially in news and media contexts. While perfectly acceptable, varying your reporting verbs with alternatives such as "stated that" or "remarked that" can improve your writing style. Be mindful of overusing "said that" in very formal contexts where stronger verbs may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stated that

Replaces "said" with a more formal synonym, implying a deliberate and clear declaration.

declared that

Replaces "said" with a more formal and emphatic term, suggesting a solemn pronouncement.

reported that

Highlights the relaying of information, often from an external source.

asserted that

Conveys a confident and forceful declaration of a belief or fact.

mentioned that

Indicates a casual or brief reference, rather than a formal statement.

remarked that

Suggests a comment or observation, often less formal than "stated".

indicated that

Implies a subtle or indirect communication of information.

noted that

Implies attention being drawn to a specific detail or fact.

observed that

Similar to "noted", but often based on personal experience or perception.

claimed that

Suggests the statement may be contested or unproven.

FAQs

How can I use "said that" in a sentence?

"Said that" is used to report someone's statement. For example, "The witness said that the car was red."

What are some alternatives to using "said that"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "stated that", "mentioned that", or "remarked that".

Is it always necessary to include "that" after "said"?

No, the "that" is often optional and omitting it can make the sentence flow more smoothly. Both "He said that he was coming" and "He said he was coming" are correct.

What is the difference between "said that" and "told that"?

"Told" implies a direction of information to someone, while "said" is a more general statement. You "tell" someone something, but you simply "say" something. Therefore, "He told me that he was coming" is correct, but "He told that he was coming" is not.