which said

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'which said' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referencing a previously stated comment or opinion. For example: My boss mentioned that I should stay late at work, which said, I don't think I can stay any longer.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He polled the audience, which said cello.

The New York Times

But I couldn't find a door which said 'WC'WC

Independent

It had, however, released a second tweet, which said:.

The Guardian

However, Which? said: "Consumers can only protect themselves so far.

The Guardian - Business

Which, said his wife, Sheila, he used all the time.

The New York Times

had cut off name and caption which said dress imported by Saks.

The New Yorker

Not the newspapers she called decades later, which said it was too explosive to publish.

The New York Times

He gave Blum his card, which said, "Operations Specialist, Asset Recovery — Rejected Material, Material Division".

The New Yorker

This angered Rape Crisis Scotland, which said his comments sent the wrong message to teenage girls.

The Guardian

"I saw a study which said that, counter-intuitively, gentrification doesn't necessarily lead to displacement.

The New Yorker

[The Sun's editor, Kelvin] MacKenzie seized on it and designed a front page which said: "GOTCHA.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which said" to directly attribute a statement or piece of information to a specific source or document. It's particularly effective when you want to highlight the exact wording or claim made by that source.

Common error

Avoid using "which said" in non-restrictive clauses where the information is parenthetical and not essential to identifying the subject. In such cases, it's better to integrate the information more smoothly into the sentence or use a different phrasing altogether.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which said" functions as a relative clause, introducing information about a preceding noun or noun phrase. It indicates that the preceding noun made a statement, declaration, or utterance. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and useful for attributing statements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which said" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, used to introduce relative clauses that attribute statements to specific sources. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to add authority and clarify the origin of information. While considered neutral in register, it's best used in situations where direct attribution is necessary. Remember to use it in restrictive clauses and avoid overuse in non-essential or parenthetical information. Consider alternatives like "that stated" or "according to" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that stated

Replaces "which said" with a more formal verb, emphasizing the act of making a statement.

that mentioned

Substitutes "said" with "mentioned", indicating a less formal or direct reference.

that indicated

Uses "indicated" instead of "said", implying a more subtle or indirect communication.

that noted

Replaces "said" with "noted", suggesting a formal observation or recording of information.

as it stated

Adds "as it" for emphasis and clarity, slightly increasing formality.

in which it said

Rephrases to include "in which", changing the sentence structure slightly.

that declared

Uses "declared" instead of "said", implying a more official or emphatic statement.

which reported

Substitutes "said" with "reported", focusing on the act of conveying information.

that expressed

Uses "expressed" instead of "said", emphasizing the communication of a feeling or opinion.

according to

Replaces "which said" with a prepositional phrase indicating source attribution. Reduces formality.

FAQs

How can I use "which said" in a sentence?

Use "which said" to attribute information directly to a source, like "The report, "which said" profits were up, was released yesterday."

What are some alternatives to "which said"?

Consider using phrases like "that stated", "that mentioned", or "according to", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "which said" formal or informal?

"Which said" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal and is suitable for news reports, academic papers, and professional communications.

Can I use "that said" instead of "which said"?

While "that said" is grammatically correct, "which said" is preferred when introducing a non-restrictive clause that provides additional, non-essential information about the subject.