said the message

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "said the message" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to someone stating or conveying a message, but the construction is awkward and unclear. Example: "The sender said the message was urgent."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As I've said, the message is fine.

Independent

Madson said the message was simple.

The New York Times - Sports

But for now, he said, the message is clear.

The New York Times

"Flux Capacitor sold separately," said the message on-screen.

Independent

Byrne said the message was meant in jest.

The Guardian

Turton said: "The message is 'enough is enough'.

The Guardian

Haaretz said, "The message is greater than the words".

The New York Times

Mr. Annan himself said, "The message is clear: the killing and violence must stop".

The New York Times

The writer Merlin Holland, who is Wilde's grandson, said the message was clear.

The New York Times

He said the message his staff seek to impress is one of self-worth.

Independent

Mr. Cunha said the message from Obama administration officials was "Just trust me".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reframe sentences to emphasize the subject performing the action, such as "The spokesperson stated the message clearly" instead of "Said the message was clear by the spokesperson."

Common error

Avoid using passive constructions that weaken the clarity and directness of your writing; instead of saying "Said the message", try "The speaker delivered the message" to emphasize who is speaking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "said the message" functions primarily to report or attribute a particular statement or piece of information. It indicates that someone has conveyed a specific message, often in a direct or quoted form. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various reporting contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "said the message" is frequently encountered in news and media for reporting purposes. While it is widely used, it's grammatically awkward, as pointed out by Ludwig AI. It functions to attribute a particular statement to a speaker, but more precise alternatives, such as stated the message or conveyed the message, can enhance clarity and formality. When writing, consider reframing sentences to emphasize who is communicating the message, thus avoiding potential grammatical pitfalls and improving overall readability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Conveyed the message

Replaces "said" with a more formal verb, emphasizing the act of delivering a message.

Delivered the message

Similar to 'conveyed', but highlights the act of transmission.

Expressed the message

Focuses on the articulation of the message, rather than just stating it.

Articulated the message

Emphasizes clear and effective communication of the message.

Communicated the message

A more general term for conveying information.

Announced the message

Implies a formal or public declaration of the message.

Stated the message

A more direct and neutral way of indicating that a message was conveyed.

Related the message

Focuses on the recounting or telling of the message.

Passed on the message

Emphasizes the relaying of the message from one party to another.

Shared the message

Highlights the act of making the message known to others.

FAQs

What is a better way to phrase "said the message"?

Better alternatives include "stated the message", "conveyed the message", or "announced the message", which provide clearer and more grammatically sound ways to express the idea of conveying information.

Is "said the message" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, particularly in journalistic contexts, "said the message" is often considered grammatically awkward. It's more precise to attribute the statement directly to a speaker or source. Consider rephrasing for clarity.

How can I use "said the message" in a sentence more effectively?

Instead of "said the message", reframe the sentence to emphasize who delivered the message, such as "The spokesperson "articulated the message" clearly" or "The president "communicated the message" to the public".

What are some formal alternatives to "said the message"?

For formal contexts, consider alternatives like "delivered the message", "expressed the message", or ""articulated the message"". These options add a layer of formality and precision to your writing.