Exceptional Expressions Posted 02/13/2010 Permanent Link
#22 Said
EVERYDAY EVENTS:
This week’s Exceptional Expression for Everyday Events (E4) explores the word said. Oftentimes students overuse the word said in their everyday talk and writing. Said is also an often-used word. Both teachers and students may use the word said to emphasize a past conversation.
EXCEPTIONAL EXPRESSION:
The word said is a generic term for communication. In writing and in speech, other words can be used instead of said to give more information. For example, I shouted, “Help.” From the word shouted, we know that the speaker raised his/her voice loudly. We also know that the speaker was in desperate need for help. The word said would not have conveyed this information.
FOLLOW-UPS:
- When might someone murmur or whisper “Hi.”
- What is the difference between I shouted, “Hi!” and I squealed, “Hi!”
- What does it mean when the speaker says, “I thought, ‘I am having fun!’” how is it different if instead of thought, the word was proclaimed?
THE SPANISH CONNECTION:
The word said comes from the Old English word. But the word said can be found in many different languages as well. The Spanish word for said is dije. It is not a cognate for the word said. But many of the synonyms for said do have Spanish cognates.
WORD CHANGES:
1) IDIOMS:
- Easier said than done
- Enough said
- No sooner said than done
- When all’s said and done
- He said, she said
2) COMMON PHRASES:
- Was it something I said?
Click here to download the printable version of E4: Said.
