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Thread: "heard said"

  1. #1
    sandex10 is offline Newbie
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    Default "heard said"

    Could you please tell me if the phrase, "heard said", is acceptable. Such as-
    "Cleft in chin, devil within", I've heard said before. For some reason, it doesn't sound right.

  2. #2
    Raymott's Avatar
    Raymott is offline VIP Member
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    Default Re: "heard said"

    Quote Originally Posted by sandex10 View Post
    Could you please tell me if the phrase, "heard said", is acceptable. Such as-
    "Cleft in chin, devil within", I've heard said before. For some reason, it doesn't sound right.
    Yes, it's correct.
    "I've heard "Cleft chin, devil within" [being] said before" is another way of putting it.

    It's not a common construction. It's two past participles in a row. The first relates to the subject, and the second to the object. The second past participle can sometimes be seen as an adjective.
    "I've heard this Mass sung before; This Mass I've heard sung before"
    "She's seen many hearts broken; Many hearts she's seen broken."
    5jj and Michael84 like this.

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    BobK is offline Harmless drudge
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    Default Re: "heard said"

    Commonly, less formally, speakers avoid the two participles in a row by replacing the saying with an 'it': I've heard it said that.......; But there's nothing wrong with the shorter version.

    b

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