All they said was vs All they said were

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'All they said was' is used when referring to a singular action or statement, while 'All they said were' is used when referring to multiple actions or statements. It's important to match the verb 'was' or 'were' with the subject of the sentence.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 1130 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"All they said was"

This phrase is used when referring to a singular action or statement made by someone. The verb 'was' matches the singular subject.

Examples:

All they said was that they would be late.
All they said was a simple 'hello.'

Show examples from the web [+]

All they said was get a second opinion.
No. All They Said Was That My Dad Was Sick

Alternatives:

The only thing they said was
What they said was

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"All they said were"

This phrase is used when referring to multiple actions or statements made by someone. The verb 'were' matches the plural subject.

Examples:

All they said were lies.
All they said were excuses.

Show examples from the web [+]

They all said they were here for an audition...
They called U-Haul... and they said all their trucks were out for today.
They called Ryder Truck, and they said all of theirs were out for today.
- All said they were here for an audition.
Because you think you might lose your grip if you do, become all the things they said you were.
They were all exactly where they said they were at Tom's approximate time of death.
The most interesting part was... that, even though no one particularly liked you, they all said you were a person who could be trusted.
Firstly, it was claimed that extraordinary costs should not be included at all, as they were said to be non-recurring costs which should be completely excluded from the normal cost of production for salmon.
I said that they said were Margaret Strauss.
All they said that is a matter of faith.
All they said was get a second opinion.
And the doctor stitched up some knife wounds at they said were asymmetrical.
That's all they said to me.
In the last message we recieved, all they said is that they defeated a Retrieval Squad.
All they said is they don't think I'm quite ready, like a biscuit in the oven, I just need to be left in a little longer.
They said all they wanted was some information and they would leave us alone.
Carly drifted back into her old ways, or what they said were her old ways - out late, drinking, smoking...
They said you'd compromised their operation.
- They said I hurt kids.
They said you left in an ambulance.

Alternatives:

The things they said were
What they said were

How TextRanch works

Fast and reliable proofreading, editing, and language advice tailored to your needs.

1. Choose Your Service

Quick Text Editing

Emails and short texts
Proofreading & editing
Ready in 5-10 minutes

SUBMIT YOUR TEXT NOW

Document Editing

Documents of any type (*.docx)
Advanced & Premium editing
Ready in as little as 4 hours

UPLOAD YOUR DOCUMENT

Ask an Editor

Personalized answers to your language questions
Expert guidance on grammar, style, and usage
Ready in 24 hours

ASK YOUR QUESTION

Upload your document or paste your text directly into our platform. Your text is reviewed and refined by our expert editors (real people, not machines) who understand the nuances of English. Expect corrections, improvements, and insightful suggestions that enhance the clarity, tone, and professionalism of your writing.

3. Receive Your Polished Text

In just a few minutes (or hours for longer documents), you'll receive your corrected text. Review the changes, make any final adjustments, and confidently share your polished English with the world.
You can count on a personalized, friendly service every time you use TextRanch. We're committed to helping you make a great impression with every word you write.

We proofread and edit these types of texts and documents:

Short texts Business Emails Personal Emails Social media posts Resume and Curriculum Vitae Business documents Sales proposal Research and academic papers Thesis Dissertation Essays Articles Blog posts and much more....

Why choose TextRanch?

Complete Privacy

Your texts are safe and secure with us. We never share your information with third parties.

Affordable Pricing

No subscription fees and rates up to 50% cheaper than other online editing services.

100% Satisfaction

We guarantee that you'll be satisfied with the quality of our service or your money back.

Top Customer Service

Our team is here to help you with any questions you may have. Contact us anytime.

Our Customers Love Us!

We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283125 votes, and

4.9 Excellent - Reviews 2.137

"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"

Zubair
from Bangladesh

"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"

Arturo
from Mexico

"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."

Selena
from USA

"Wow, it's just so excellent. I never would have believed I could have a sure and excellent English companion. Thanks, TextRanch."

Ifiok
from Nigeria

"This is my first time using TextRanch, and I like how the editors take time to correct my text. To everyone who has never used TextRanch before, I highly recommend trying it."

Wilson
from France

"It is an amazing source of feedback because, as a non-native speaker, I really need to have a reliable helper correct my text."

Susan
from Germany

All they said was vs All they said were

"All they said was"

"All they said were"

Related Comparisons

2. Submit Your Text

3. Receive Your Polished Text