therefore said

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "therefore said" is not correct and is not commonly used in written English.
It is an awkward construction and does not convey a clear meaning in standard usage. Example: "The committee reviewed the proposal and, therefore said, it was not feasible."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

We have therefore said they will be suspended and investigated".

The Guardian

A user is therefore said to be "vaping", not smoking.

The Economist

He therefore said the article also breached his privacy under clause 3 of the code.

The Guardian

Pi is therefore said to be a transcendental number, because it transcends algebra.

The New Yorker

The rhythm of Ancient Greek is therefore said to be quantitative.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Burkett therefore said she'd been highly upset to see him "race up there to accept the award".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Reason, therefore, says that Labour will win again.

The Guardian

I therefore say that the sponsors have no mandate whatever for the bill.

The Guardian

"In theory, therefore," says the MoD study, "autonomy should enable more ethical and legal warfare.

The Guardian

I shall therefore say no more about it... although I am in constant pain and cannot sleep at nights..

The Guardian - Arts

Let me therefore say very clearly: reverse chronological order is the norm; it is reasonable; it is absolutely de rigueur.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, replace "therefore said" with stronger alternatives like "therefore stated" or "thus declared" to ensure proper grammatical flow and avoid ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "therefore said" to introduce a direct quote. This phrase awkwardly combines a causal conjunction with an attribution verb. Instead, clearly separate the cause and the statement by writing: 'The evidence suggests X; therefore, Y stated, "..."'

Linguistic Context

The phrase "therefore said" functions as a connector linking a cause or reason with a statement. However, Ludwig AI identifies that it often results in grammatically awkward sentences because it combines a conjunction with a simple attribution in a non-idiomatic way. While understandable, more precise alternatives exist.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "therefore said" aims to connect a cause with a spoken statement, but it is generally considered grammatically awkward. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrasing isn't ideal because it clumsily combines a conjunction with a verb of attribution. While relatively common, especially in news and scientific contexts, opting for alternatives like "therefore stated" or "thus declared" will result in clearer and more professional writing. Avoiding this phrase, especially in formal contexts, can significantly improve the overall quality and credibility of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

therefore stated

Replaces "said" with "stated", providing a more formal and direct expression of affirmation.

thus declared

Uses "declared" instead of "said" to convey a formal announcement or pronouncement as a consequence.

consequently remarked

Substitutes "said" with "remarked" and "therefore" with "consequently" to indicate a comment resulting from a previous observation.

hence asserted

Employs "hence" to mean 'for this reason' and replaces "said" with "asserted" for a stronger, more confident statement.

for this reason, mentioned

Replaces "therefore" with "for this reason" and "said" with "mentioned" for a slightly less formal tone.

accordingly noted

Uses "accordingly" and "noted" in place of "therefore" and "said" to indicate that a remark is in agreement with what precedes it.

as a result, communicated

Replaces "therefore" with "as a result" and "said" with "communicated", emphasizing the outcome and its transmission.

it was therefore expressed

Changes the structure to passive voice with "expressed" to emphasize the communication, deemphasizing the speaker.

it follows that they remarked

Adds "it follows that" for a more logical connection, replacing "said" with "remarked".

subsequently shared

Uses "subsequently" to indicate a temporal sequence, and "shared" instead of "said" to highlight information given to others.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "therefore said" that provide better clarity?

Consider using phrases like "therefore stated", "thus declared", or "consequently remarked" for clearer communication.

Is "therefore said" grammatically correct in formal writing?

While "therefore said" appears in various texts, it's often considered grammatically awkward. Opt for stronger alternatives to improve the flow and credibility of your writing.

How does "therefore said" differ from "therefore stated"?

"Therefore stated" is generally more precise and formal than "therefore said", providing a stronger sense of affirmation or declaration. The phrase therefore stated is the most suitable alternative.

When is it appropriate to use "therefore said", and when should I avoid it?

It is best to avoid using "therefore said" in formal or academic writing. Use alternative phrases that are more direct and grammatically sound, such as "hence asserted" or "accordingly noted".