you said that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'you said that' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to something that someone else has said. For example: "John said that he wanted to go to the amusement park, but you said that you didn't have the money to go."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

"You said that already!" Marlon shouted.

The New Yorker

"Yeah, you said that already".

The New Yorker

"I thought you said that was soup".

The New York Times

"You said that dirty word again," she said, and laughed.

The New York Times

Is there anything you said that was incorrect?

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Um, you said that, not me!

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Funny that you say that".

The New Yorker

Why did you say that?

The New York Times

Why do you say that?

The New York Times - Magazine

You say that's false.

The New York Times

"How can you say that?" he yelled.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When quoting someone, "you said that" can be used to accurately attribute the statement, maintaining the integrity of the original message.

Common error

Avoid using "you said that" when you are unsure if the person actually made the statement, or if you are paraphrasing without clear attribution. This can lead to misunderstandings and accusations of misrepresentation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "you said that" functions as a reporting clause, used to refer back to a previous statement made by the listener or another party. It acknowledges and often questions or comments on something previously said. Ludwig shows many examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "you said that" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to reference prior statements. Ludwig AI indicates it's suitable for various contexts, but primarily appears in News & Media and Science sources. The phrase serves to clarify, challenge, or acknowledge previous remarks. While generally neutral, consider more formal alternatives like "you indicated" in highly formal settings. Be mindful of accurate attribution when using this phrase to avoid misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

according to what you said

Specifies that the information is based on a previous statement.

you mentioned

Focuses on the act of bringing something up in conversation, rather than emphasizing the statement itself.

you stated

Implies a more formal or official declaration.

based on your statement

Formal way to refer to something that was mentioned before.

you expressed

Highlights the communication of a feeling or opinion.

to reiterate what you expressed

To repeat what has already been said to emphasize it.

you remarked

Suggests a casual or brief comment.

you indicated

Suggests a subtle or indirect statement.

if I recall correctly, you noted

Adds a level of uncertainty or reliance on memory.

as you put it

Emphasizes the specific wording used by the speaker.

FAQs

What does "you said that" mean?

The phrase "you said that" is used to refer back to a previous statement someone made. It's a direct way to acknowledge a prior remark in conversation or writing.

What can I say instead of "you said that"?

You can use alternatives like "you mentioned", "you stated", or "according to what you said" depending on the context and level of formality.

How to use "you said that" in a sentence?

You can use "you said that" in a sentence to remind someone of a previous statement, for example, "You said that you would help me move, but now you're saying you're busy".

Is "you said that" formal or informal?

The phrase "you said that" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal situations, alternatives like "you indicated" might be more appropriate.