Quick Definition
To say means to express something in words; to state or declare. It is an irregular verb: say / said / said (/seɪ/ — /sɛd/ — /sɛd/).
Etymology
Say comes from Old English secgan, meaning "to utter, tell, or relate", which itself descended from Proto-Germanic *sagjaną. It is closely related to Old Norse segja, Dutch zeggen, and German sagen — all carrying the same core sense of speaking or declaring. The word has remained largely unchanged in meaning for over a thousand years, making it one of the most deeply rooted verbs in the English language. Its past tense said preserves an ancient vowel shift: the long /eɪ/ of the base form shortens to /ɛ/, a pattern also found in paid and laid.
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Level & usage note |
|---|---|
| She said she would be here by nine o'clock. | A2 — reported speech, basic |
| Can you say that again, please? I didn’t quite hear you. | B1 — polite request, spoken English |
| The report says that pollution levels have fallen for the third year in a row. | B1 — written source as subject |
| I would say his confidence has improved significantly since last term. | B2 — hedged opinion, formal register |
| Needless to say, the committee’s decision was not well received by all stakeholders. | C1 — fixed phrase, academic/formal writing |
Common Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| say a word | He didn’t say a word throughout the meeting. |
| say goodbye / hello | Don’t forget to say goodbye before you leave. |
| say sorry | The least you could do is say sorry. |
| say thank you | She rang to say thank you for the flowers. |
| say yes / no | He finally said yes to the job offer. |
| say nothing | She said nothing and walked out of the room. |
| say a prayer | They stopped to say a prayer at the memorial. |
| hard to say | It’s hard to say exactly when the project will finish. |
| that is to say | The deadline is Friday, that is to say you have three days. |
| needless to say | Needless to say, we were all delighted with the result. |
Usage Notes
Key points for learners
- Say vs. tell: Use say when there is no indirect object for the listener — "She said she was tired." Use tell when the listener is mentioned — "She told me she was tired." Swapping them is the single most common error with this word.
- Say vs. speak vs. talk: Say focuses on the words or content produced. Speak emphasises the act of using language or addressing someone formally. Talk implies an informal, two-way conversation. Compare: "He said something important" / "Can I speak to your manager?" / "We need to talk."
- Written subjects: Signs, texts, emails, and reports can all be the subject of say: "The label says wash at 30 degrees." This is standard in both British and American English.
- Reported speech tense shift: When using say to report what someone said earlier, the tense in the reported clause typically shifts back one step: "I am ready" → "She said she was ready."
- Fixed phrases: Several high-frequency fixed expressions use say: needless to say, that is to say, go without saying, say the word, I dare say. Learning these as chunks will improve your fluency considerably.
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
She said me that she was tired.
She told me that she was tired. — or — She said that she was tired. (say does not take a personal object)
He sayed goodbye and left.
He said goodbye and left. (irregular past tense: said, not sayed)
Can you tell again what you said?
Can you say that again? (use say, not tell, when asking someone to repeat words)
Related Words
Practise This Word
Related Vocabulary
Frequently Asked Questions about “say”
What does say mean in English?
Say means to express something in words, either by speaking or in writing. It is an irregular verb: say / said / said. It is used to report what someone speaks ('She said hello'), to state opinions ('I would say it is too late'), and to indicate written content ('The sign says no parking').
What is the difference between say and tell?
Say focuses on the words spoken and does not require a direct object for the person addressed: 'She said she was tired.' Tell requires a person as its direct object: 'She told me she was tired.' You say something; you tell someone something.
What are the past tense forms of say?
Say is an irregular verb. The simple past is said (/sɛd/), and the past participle is also said. Examples: 'He said goodbye.' / 'She has said the same thing before.' Note the pronunciation change: say /seɪ/, said /sɛd/.
Can say be used in reported speech?
Yes, say is the most common verb for reported speech in English. In reported speech, the tense usually shifts back: 'I am tired' becomes 'She said she was tired.' Unlike tell, say does not need a named listener: 'He said that prices would rise.'
What is the difference between say and speak?
Say focuses on the content of what is expressed: 'He said a few words.' Speak focuses on the act of using language or the ability to use a language: 'She speaks French fluently.' / 'Can I speak to the manager?' You say things but speak a language or speak to a person.
What common collocations use say?
Common collocations include: say a word, say a prayer, say goodbye, say sorry, say hello, say thank you, say yes / no, say nothing, hard to say, needless to say. The phrase 'that is to say' is used to rephrase or clarify a point in formal writing.
How is say used differently in British and American English?
The core meaning and grammar of say are the same in British and American English. However, the exclamation 'Say!' used to get attention ('Say, that is a good idea!') is more common in American English. British speakers tend to use 'I say!' for the same purpose, though this is now rather old-fashioned.
What does ‘it goes without saying’ mean?
'It goes without saying' is a fixed phrase meaning that something is so obvious it does not need to be stated. Example: 'It goes without saying that you should proofread your work before submitting it.' Despite the phrase, speakers typically still say the thing — it is used for emphasis rather than genuine omission.
What is the origin of the word say?
Say comes from Old English 'secgan', meaning to speak or tell. It is related to Old Norse 'segja', Dutch 'zeggen', and German 'sagen', all from a Proto-Germanic root meaning to speak. The verb has been in continuous use in English for over a thousand years, making it one of the oldest and most fundamental verbs in the language.
How can I practise using say correctly?
Try LexFizz's Complete the Sentence exercise to choose between say, tell, speak, and talk in context. The Flash Cards tool can help you memorise the irregular form said. Practising reported speech — converting direct speech to indirect speech — is one of the best ways to become confident with say.