so they said

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "So they said" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to something somebody said previously in a conversation or story. For example: "I told them I was leaving, and so they said they were sorry to hear it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not so, they said.

The New York Times - Sports

Not so, they said today.

The New York Times - Sports

Even so, they said they would visit in the night.

The New York Times

Even so, they said they had safety concerns.

The New York Times

He was involved, or so they said".

The New Yorker

Baidu did so, they said, at the behest of the Chinese government.

Stanford University

They felt pressured to do so, they said.

Harvard Business Review

This genius, so they said, never lost money.

The New York Times

So, they said, the certificates were a useful remedy.

The New York Times

If so, they said, they want to challenge the evidence as unconstitutional.

The New York Times

To do so, they said, they would need seeds, fertilizer, agricultural equipment or money.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "so they said", ensure the context clearly identifies who "they" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "so they said" without a clear antecedent for "they". Ensure your audience knows who is being quoted to maintain clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "so they said" functions as a reporting clause, introducing information that has been communicated by a group or individuals. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in conveying opinions, claims, or reported facts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "so they said" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed reporting clause. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to introduce information attributed to a particular group or individuals. Predominantly found in news and media, it maintains a neutral register. When employing this phrase, ensure clear attribution to avoid ambiguity. While versatile, more formal alternatives may be preferable in academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in their words

Emphasizes that the following is a direct representation of their statement.

as they put it

Highlights a particular phrasing or choice of words used by the speakers.

they stated

Direct and formal way to report a statement. Omits the "so" for a more concise feel.

they reported

Suggests information was formally conveyed or documented.

they noted

Highlights that something was specifically brought to attention.

they mentioned

Focuses on the act of mentioning something, less emphatic than a direct quote.

they remarked

Implies a brief or casual statement.

they indicated

Suggests a more subtle form of communication, implying rather than stating directly.

according to them

Attributes the information to the individuals, providing a degree of separation or potential skepticism.

they claimed

Introduces a degree of doubt or questioning regarding the veracity of the statement.

FAQs

How can I use "so they said" in a sentence?

Use "so they said" to introduce information attributed to a specific group or individuals, like in the sentence, "The experts recommended the treatment, so they said it was the best option available".

What's a more formal alternative to "so they said"?

For a more formal tone, you might use "they stated", "they reported", or "according to them", depending on the context.

Is it okay to use "so they said" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "so they said" might be considered informal for some academic contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "they observed" or "they concluded" to maintain a professional tone.

How does "so they said" differ from "according to them"?

"So they said" is a more conversational way to introduce a statement, while "according to them" is slightly more formal and emphasizes that the information comes from a specific source. The choice depends on the desired tone and context.