she was saying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she was saying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that a female speaker was expressing or communicating in the past. Example: "During the meeting, she was saying that we need to improve our marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"She was saying, 'No!

The New York Times

"She was saying: 'Help me!

The New York Times

She was saying her name.

The New York Times

She was saying goodbye.

The Guardian - Books

He listened to what she was saying.

The New Yorker

She was saying, "Kate's not here.

The New York Times

I couldn't hear what she was saying.

The New Yorker

I couldn't understand what she was saying.

The New York Times - Magazine

She didn't mean what she was saying.

The New Yorker

My son?' she was saying.

The Guardian - Books

"She was saying: 'What are you doing?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pay attention to the context and choose a verb that accurately reflects the manner and content of her speech. For example, use "she was whispering" to indicate a quiet tone.

Common error

Avoid monotonous repetition of "she was saying" by using alternative verbs like "mentioned", "remarked", or "explained" to add nuance and maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was saying" functions as a reporting clause, specifically using the past continuous tense. This indicates an action (saying) that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she was saying" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to report speech or thought in narrative contexts. According to Ludwig, it is particularly common in "News & Media", with several examples from reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian. Although generally neutral in tone, varying the reporting verb can add nuance and precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she mentioned

Focuses on the act of referring to something briefly or casually.

she stated

Emphasizes a formal or official declaration.

she remarked

Highlights a comment or observation, often insightful or witty.

she observed

Stresses careful watching and noting of details before speaking.

she pointed out

Indicates drawing attention to a specific fact or detail.

she explained

Implies making something clear or understandable.

she clarified

Focuses on removing confusion or ambiguity in a statement.

she disclosed

Suggests revealing something previously unknown.

she announced

Implies making something publicly or formally known.

she communicated

Highlights the act of conveying information or feelings.

FAQs

How to use "she was saying" in a sentence?

"She was saying" is used to report what a female person was in the process of expressing. For example, "She was saying that the project needed more resources".

What can I say instead of "she was saying"?

Alternatives include "she mentioned", "she stated", or "she remarked", depending on the context and formality of the communication.

Which is correct, "she was saying" or "she said"?

"She said" reports a completed action, while "she was saying" implies an ongoing or incomplete action. Use "she said" when reporting a finished statement, and "she was saying" when describing an action in progress or giving background.

What's the difference between "she was saying" and "she had said"?

"She was saying" describes something she was in the process of saying, while "she had said" refers to something she said at an earlier time. The latter uses the past perfect tense to indicate a completed action before another point in the past.