said who

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "said who" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to question the authority or validity of a statement or claim made by someone. Example: "You think that's true? Said who?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I said who?

Independent

She said, "Who is she?

The New Yorker

Then he said: "Who knows?

The New York Times - Sports

He said who he was.

The New York Times

He said: "Who are you?

The New York Times

"I said, 'Who wants soup?' " he said.

The New York Times

"He said, 'Who is saying this?

The New Yorker

Even Matt Drey said — Who is Matt Drey?

The New Yorker

I said who is he?

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"They said 'who are you?'.

The Guardian

He said, 'who the hell was marking Southgate?'.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "said who" to directly challenge the validity of a statement by questioning its source. This can be particularly effective in debates or discussions where the speaker's claims lack credible backing.

Common error

While effective in informal settings, "said who" can come across as dismissive or overly casual in formal writing or professional presentations. Opt for more formal alternatives like "according to whom" or "what is the source of this information" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "said who" functions as an interrogative expression used to challenge or question the source or authority behind a statement. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "said who" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase primarily employed to question the source or validity of information. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that this expression is mostly found in news and media contexts, often carrying a neutral or informal tone. When writing, it’s best to use "said who" in informal settings and consider more formal alternatives like "according to whom" in professional or academic contexts to maintain the right tone. This ensures clear communication and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

who says

A direct and concise way to challenge the source of a statement.

according to whom

More formal, explicitly asking for the authority behind a claim.

who's the source

Seeks the origin of the information.

who is claiming that

Emphasizes doubt and seeks identification of the originator.

can you cite a source

Requests evidence or justification for the statement.

by whose authority

Strongly questions the basis for an assertion, often used critically.

on whose authority is that based

A more formal and forceful challenge to the foundation of a statement.

where did you hear that

Informal way of asking about the origin of information, implying potential unreliability.

who told you that

Directly asks about the person who provided the information.

where does that information come from

Inquires about the origin and potential reliability of the statement.

FAQs

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

You can use "said who" to challenge a statement by questioning its source. For example, "They're predicting a market crash. "Said who"? Some anonymous blogger?"

What can I say instead of "said who"?

Alternatives to "said who" include "according to whom", "who says", or "who is claiming that" depending on the context and formality you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "said who" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "said who" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's better to use phrases like "on whose authority" or "what is the source" to maintain a professional tone.

What is the tone of "said who"?

The tone of "said who" is often skeptical or challenging. It directly questions the basis of a statement, implying doubt about its validity unless a credible source is provided.