said to

USAGE SUMMARY

'said to' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when quoting what someone else said, or to indicate that you are addressing something to a specific person. For example: My grandmother always said to me, "Never forget your roots."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He said, "To Providence".

The New York Times

I said to myself.

The New Yorker

"Go," he said to another.

The New Yorker

"Imagine!" she said to us.

The New Yorker

"Look," I said to Yongsu.

The New Yorker

Said to a woman solicitor.

Independent

She said to what end.

The New Yorker

"Hi," she said to me.

The New Yorker

"Sometimes," they said to me,.

The New Yorker

"Interesting," Assange said to Gonggrijp.

The New Yorker

"Jesus said to forgive him".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you want to cite the authority that said something, consider adding a reference source to better clarify the context.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "said to" in passive constructions, which can make your writing sound weak or indirect. Opt for active voice where appropriate to make your sentences more impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "said to" functions primarily as a reporting verb construction. It's used to attribute statements, beliefs, or information to a source, often implying a degree of indirectness or generality. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "said to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for reporting information and attributing statements, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Its neutral-to-formal register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and business. While versatile, mindful usage is recommended to avoid passive voice overuse. Alternative phrases like "reported to" and "claimed to" can add nuance to your writing, depending on the intended implication. By understanding its function and usage patterns, writers can effectively incorporate "said to" into their work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reported to

Indicates that information has been formally reported, suggesting a degree of official documentation.

claimed to

Suggests a statement of fact, often one that is open to question or lacks definitive proof.

alleged to

Implies that something is asserted without proof, often in a legal or controversial context.

purported to

Indicates that something appears or is represented to be the case, often with an implication of doubt.

believed to

Expresses a general belief or opinion about something, rather than a direct quotation.

understood to

Indicates a common understanding or assumption about something.

thought to

Similar to "believed to", but can also refer to a more tentative or individual opinion.

rumored to

Suggests that information is circulating informally, without confirmation.

known to

Indicates something is widely known or recognized.

considered to

Implies a formal or considered judgment about something.

FAQs

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

You can use "said to" to report what someone has stated or what is generally believed. For example, "He is said to be a talented musician" or "The expert said to me, 'Focus on the fundamentals'".

What are some alternatives to "said to"?

Alternatives include "reported to", "claimed to", "alleged to", or "believed to", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "said to"?

While "said to" is often used in passive constructions, consider using active voice for more direct and impactful writing. For example, instead of "It is said that...", you could write "Sources claim that...".

How can I ensure clarity when using "said to"?

To ensure clarity, always specify who is making the statement or holding the belief. For example, instead of "It is said to be effective", write "Experts say it is effective".