what she said

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what she said" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to or emphasize a statement made by a female speaker, often in agreement or support of that statement. Example: "I completely agree with what she said about the importance of teamwork in our project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Preserve what?" she said.

The New York Times - Magazine

"With what?" she said.

The New Yorker

Tells what she said.

The New Yorker

"Yeah, what she said".

The New Yorker

"When what?" she said.

The New Yorker

"What?" she said.

The New York Times - Health

That's what she said.

The New York Times

I misunderstood what she said.

Independent

Yet that's what she said.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Told you what?" she said.

The New Yorker

"Well, guess what?" she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what she said" to directly refer to a woman's prior statement, especially when you want to emphasize its impact or importance.

Common error

Avoid using "what she said" if you're unsure whether the statement was actually made by the woman in question. Verify the source to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what she said" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to the content of a previous statement made by a female speaker, as demonstrated by examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what she said" is a commonly used phrase that serves to reference or emphasize a previous statement made by a woman. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, ensure the context clearly identifies who "she" refers to. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "her statement" or "her remarks". The phrase is a versatile tool for building upon prior remarks efficiently.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

her words

Focuses on the specific words used, rather than the act of speaking itself.

her statement

Implies a formal or official declaration.

the things she mentioned

Highlights multiple points or items discussed.

what she expressed

Emphasizes the communication of feelings or opinions.

her point

Focuses on the central argument or idea she conveyed.

her comments

Refers to a series of remarks or observations.

the content of her speech

Highlights specific ideas presented during a discourse.

what she communicated

Focuses on the act of conveying information or ideas effectively.

her declaration

Indicates a formal or emphatic assertion.

the information she provided

Highlights data or details she offered.

FAQs

How can I use "what she said" in a sentence?

You can use "what she said" to refer back to a previous statement made by a woman. For example, "I agree with "what she said" about the importance of teamwork."

What's a more formal alternative to "what she said"?

If you're in a formal setting, you could use phrases like "her statement", "her remarks", or "the points she raised" instead of "what she said".

Is it always clear who "she" refers to when using "what she said"?

No, ensure the context makes it explicitly clear who "she" is, to avoid ambiguity. If there's a chance of confusion, use the person's name or a more specific identifier.

Can I use "what she said" even if I don't fully agree with the statement?

Yes, you can use it neutrally to refer to the statement, regardless of your agreement. For example, "While I acknowledge "what she said", I have a different perspective."