said that while

USAGE SUMMARY

"said that while" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a statement that was made during a specific time frame or situation. Here is an example: "He said that while he was on vacation, he enjoyed trying new foods and learning about different cultures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nixon said that while Which?

The Guardian - Money

Mr. Perry said that while most of his fellow N.Y.U.

The New York Times

Mr. Ford said that while advertiser interest had been intense, "we're all learning".

The New York Times

Mr. Monks said that while this may be true, Apple's tax avoidance hurts the country.

The New York Times

Voters said that, while they backed one candidate, they would be happy with several others.

The Economist

Ms. Fougères said that while disease transmission did occur, it was rare.

The New York Times

Some migrants also said that while in detention their clothes were taken from them.

The New York Times

Protesters said that while FARC had forced them to go, their complaints were real.

The New York Times

Collins said that while Wright was improving, he had "not done anything full speed yet".

The New York Times - Sports

Watson, in fact, said that while the rough was not long, it was unpredictable.

The New York Times - Sports

Burke said that while he likes that one, he doesn't deserve it yet.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place a comma before "while" if the "while" clause is nonrestrictive, providing extra but nonessential information. Omit the comma if the clause is essential to the sentence's meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "said that while" when there is no actual contrast or simultaneous action implied. Ensure the "while" clause genuinely adds a comparative or temporal element, or consider using a simpler conjunction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "said that while" functions as a reporting clause that introduces a statement made by someone, followed by a subordinate clause that provides context, contrast, or simultaneous action. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "said that while" is a versatile phrase used to report a statement alongside a contrasting or concurrent element. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically sound and frequently used across various contexts, especially in news and media. When writing with "said that while", ensure the "while" clause adds meaningful context and avoid using it when no actual contrast is present. For more formal settings, consider alternatives such as "stated that although". By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "said that while" to enhance your writing's clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stated that although

Replaces "said" with "stated", implying a more formal declaration, and "while" with "although", emphasizing the contrasting element.

mentioned that even though

Substitutes "said" with "mentioned", suggesting a less formal utterance, and "while" with "even though", strengthening the contrast.

remarked that despite the fact that

Replaces "said" with "remarked", indicating a casual observation, and "while" with "despite the fact that", highlighting a stronger sense of contradiction.

noted that in spite of the fact that

Uses "noted" instead of "said", suggesting a formal observation, and "in spite of the fact that" to emphasize the contrasting element more explicitly.

explained that even as

Replaces "said" with "explained", indicating a clarification, and "while" with "even as", suggesting simultaneous events with a contrast.

commented that during the time

Substitutes "said" with "commented", which suggests a casual remark, and replaces "while" with "during the time", focusing on the temporal aspect.

observed that simultaneously

Replaces "said" with "observed", implying a careful noting of something, and "while" with "simultaneously", emphasizing the concurrent nature of the events.

acknowledged that at the same time

Substitutes "said" with "acknowledged", suggesting admission of something, and "while" with "at the same time", emphasizing concurrence.

conceded that concurrently

Replaces "said" with "conceded", implying reluctance, and "while" with "concurrently", highlighting the simultaneous nature of events.

related that as

Replaces "said" with "related", indicating storytelling, and "while" with "as", which is less formal and direct.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "said that while" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "stated that although" or "noted that in spite of the fact that", which provide a similar meaning with increased formality.

Is there a difference in meaning between "said that while" and "said that although"?

While both phrases introduce a contrasting element, "said that while" often implies simultaneity alongside the contrast, whereas "said that although" focuses primarily on the contrast. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the concurrent timing.

Can I use "said that while" in academic writing?

Yes, "said that while" is acceptable in academic writing, but ensure that its use is precise and adds value to the sentence. Alternatives like "observed that simultaneously" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using "said that while"?

A common mistake is using "said that while" when there's no real contrast or simultaneous action being expressed. Ensure the "while" clause is meaningful and not just a filler. If there's no contrast, simpler conjunctions may be more effective.