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 • 1154 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

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All they said was vs All they said were

"All they said was"

"All they said were"

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