what was said

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what was said" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to something that has been spoken that you want to comment on or refer back to. For example: "I was surprised by what was said during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What was said?

Harvard University

Tells what was said.

The New Yorker

Wonder what was said?

Independent

That's what was said".

Independent

What was said in U. S. v.

Cornell University

So what was said?

The New York Times - Sports

"I don't repeat what was said.

Independent

But it hardly mattered what was said.

The New York Times

I don't know what was said.

The New York Times - Sports

That was what was said of him.

The New Yorker

Please tell me what was said?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When clarifying past conversations, use "what was said" to accurately refer to the original statements, avoiding assumptions about intent. Example: "To avoid misunderstandings, let's revisit exactly "what was said" during our last meeting."

Common error

Avoid using "what was said" in situations where active voice would be clearer. For example, instead of "The decision was influenced by "what was said"," specify who said it: "The decision was influenced by the manager's comments."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what was said" functions as a noun clause, acting as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It refers to the content of a previous statement or conversation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is grammatically correct and frequent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what was said" is a versatile phrase used to refer to previously spoken information. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. As a noun clause, it functions to direct attention to and encourage analysis of previous verbal communications. It's found most frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts, with a neutral register making it suitable for diverse forms of communication. To ensure clarity, consider alternatives in active voice and avoid using the phrase unnecessarily. By following these guidelines, you can use "what was said" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the content of the statement

Focuses on the substance of the message, rather than the act of speaking.

the details that were communicated

Emphasizes the transmission of information and the specific facts that were shared.

the points that were made

Highlights specific arguments, opinions, or information that were presented.

the specifics of the conversation

Highlights the detailed aspects and particular points discussed in a dialogue.

the essence of the discussion

Captures the core meaning or central theme of a conversation.

the information conveyed

Emphasizes the transmission of knowledge or details from one party to another.

the things that were uttered

Focuses on the actual words spoken, sometimes with a slightly formal tone.

the substance of the remarks

Highlights the meaningful part or key ideas included in someone's comments.

the gist of the talk

Conveys the main point or essence of a conversation or speech.

the subject matter discussed

Highlights the topic or area of focus in a conversation or presentation.

FAQs

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

You can use "what was said" to refer back to specific statements or discussions. For example, "I'm not sure I agree with "what was said" about the budget."

What's a more formal way to say "what was said"?

In more formal contexts, you might use phrases like "the aforementioned statements" or "the content of the discussion" instead of "what was said".

Is it correct to say "that what was said"?

While grammatically understandable, "that what was said" is less common and often unnecessary. It's usually clearer to simply use "what was said". For example, "That "what was said" was untrue" can be shortened to "What was said was untrue".

What's the difference between "what was said" and "what was written"?

"What was said" refers to spoken words, while "what was written" refers to text. It's important to use the correct phrase depending on whether you're discussing a conversation or a written document.