as say

USAGE SUMMARY

'as say' is not a grammatically correct phrase to use in written English.
Instead, you could use the phrase 'as they say.' For example, "As they say, life is what you make of it."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They are as coherently themselves as, say, a car is a car.

The New Yorker

Keep in mind relative cooking times, as, say, carrots will take a lot longer than zucchini.

WikiHow

These may be as innocuous as, say brick making.

The Economist

It just isn't the same as, say, running a restaurant.

The Guardian - Opinion

Is Global Crossing as bad as, say, WorldCom?

The New York Times

As good as, say, Breakbot and fellow Australians Flight Facilities.

The Guardian - Music

It is true that the phrase is not as well established as, say, the Monroe Doctrine.

The New Yorker

The Ferrari 330 isn't as sought after as, say, the Ferrari 250 GTO.

The New York Times

If he shot as often as, say, Dwyane Wade, Harden would average 28 points a game.

The New York Times - Sports

"Or at least they don't have the same kind of urgency as, say, corporate legislation might".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Say Six: Seis (pronounced as 'say-z').

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for grammatical correctness, replace the phrase "as say" with "as they say" or "such as" to provide a grammatically correct introduction to an example or comparison. Using a grammatically correct structure will make your writing more professional and clear.

Common error

Avoid using "as say" in formal writing, such as academic papers or business reports. It's best to use grammatically correct alternatives such as "as they say", "such as", or "for example" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as say" functions as an attempted introductory phrase, aiming to introduce an example or comparison. However, it lacks grammatical correctness. Ludwig indicates that it's not grammatically correct and suggests using "as they say" instead.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as say" is frequently found across various sources, particularly in News & Media and Wiki content. However, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests using alternatives like "as they say", "such as", or "for example" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity. While the phrase aims to introduce examples or comparisons, its non-standard form makes it unsuitable for formal writing. It's advisable to opt for grammatically sound alternatives to maintain a professional tone and avoid potential misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as they say

Adds a subject, correcting the grammatical structure.

such as

Introduces examples in a grammatically standard way.

as stated

Replaces "say" with a more formal verb.

as an example

Provides a more explicit introduction to the example.

for example

Provides a more direct way to introduce an example.

for instance

Similar to "for example", offering another way to introduce an example.

like

Offers a simpler, less formal way to introduce examples.

to illustrate

Offers a more formal introduction to the example.

namely

Introduces specific examples or details.

that is to say

Explains or clarifies a previous statement.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use the phrase that starts with "as" to introduce an example?

The correct way to introduce an example is to use the phrase "such as". For instance, "Various fruits, such as apples, bananas, and oranges, are rich in vitamins."

What can I say instead of "as say" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, use phrases like "for example", "for instance", or "to illustrate". These alternatives are grammatically correct and suitable for professional writing.

Is it ever appropriate to use "as say" in writing?

While "as say" appears in some informal contexts, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's advisable to use grammatically correct alternatives like "as they say" or "such as" to ensure clarity and correctness.

Which is correct, "as say" or "as says"?

Neither "as say" nor "as says" is grammatically correct. A correct alternative is "as they say". For example, "As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words."