was reported to have said

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was reported to have said" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when conveying information about what someone allegedly stated, often in a journalistic or formal context. Example: "The politician was reported to have said that the new policy would benefit the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I think it's retarded," Flacco was reported to have said.

The New York Times - Sports

As he was being led away he was reported to have said, "ta da"!

University of California, Berkeley

"We are now solving France's domestic problems," Juncker was reported to have said in exasperation.

The Guardian

"Your tax lady," she really hates the US," Trump was reported to have said.

The Guardian - Business

One, Farhad Seleh, was reported to have said: "He created love for Israel in our hearts.

The New York Times

"From now on, let's directly contact each other," Kim Jong Il was reported to have said.

The New York Times

The boy's father was reported to have said: "He's always been big.

The Guardian

"You have 'em, I'll amuse 'em," he was reported to have said.

The New York Times

"This is very funny," he was reported to have said, with a wave of his hand.

The New York Times

She was reported to have said, "I feel like a beggar asking for such things".

The New Yorker

Mr Murdoch was reported to have said that the survival of his company was at stake.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was reported to have said" when you cannot directly quote the individual or have verified the statement first-hand.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "was reported to have said" in close proximity; vary your sentence structure with more active verbs to enhance readability and engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was reported to have said" functions as an reporting verb construction. It introduces indirect speech, attributing a statement to someone without directly quoting them. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was reported to have said" is a versatile phrase used to attribute statements to individuals, commonly found in news and media contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. When writing, ensure you use this phrase accurately, especially when citing sources. Consider alternatives like "reportedly stated" or "was quoted as saying" for variety. When in doubt, prioritize clarity and credibility in your writing to ensure accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reportedly stated

A more concise synonym using a single verb.

was quoted as saying

Directly attributes the statement using a quote.

is said to have remarked

Uses a more formal and distanced tone.

was understood to have said

Suggests the statement was implied or inferred.

was known to have expressed

Indicates the statement aligns with their typical views.

was believed to have said

Indicates the statement is based on belief rather than confirmed fact.

is understood to have mentioned

Suggests the statement was made in passing or casually.

allegedly said

Highlights the statement is unconfirmed and potentially untrue.

is alleged to have noted

Similar to "allegedly said" but with a slightly more formal tone.

was rumored to have said

Implies the statement is based on hearsay.

FAQs

How can I use "was reported to have said" in a sentence?

You can use "was reported to have said" to convey information attributed to someone, for example: "The witness "was reported to have said" the car ran a red light."

What are some alternatives to "was reported to have said"?

Alternatives include "was quoted as saying", "reportedly stated", or "is said to have remarked", each with slight differences in nuance and formality.

Is it better to use "was reported to have said" or a direct quote?

Using a direct quote is preferable when possible, as it provides the exact wording. Use "was reported to have said" when a direct quote is unavailable or impractical.

What's the difference between "was reported to have said" and "allegedly said"?

"Was reported to have said" indicates the information comes from a report, while "allegedly said" implies the statement is unconfirmed and potentially false. The former is more neutral, while the latter suggests skepticism.