did she say

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'did she say' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as part of a question to ask what someone said. For example, "What did she say about the situation?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

What did she say?

The New Yorker

Did she say global?

The New York Times

What did she say, Eric?

The New Yorker

Did she say that?

The Guardian - Books

Did she say anything?

The New York Times

What did she say to her husband?

The New Yorker

Did she say this at her interview?

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"Someone did," she said.

The New York Times

"We did," she says.

The New Yorker

"I did!" she said.

The New Yorker

Nothing did, she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "did she say", ensure the context clearly indicates who "she" refers to, especially if the conversation involves multiple female figures. This prevents ambiguity and ensures clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "does she said" or "did she says". The correct form is "did she say" because "did" already indicates past tense, so the verb "say" should be in its base form.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "did she say" is to form an interrogative clause, specifically a question. It seeks confirmation or details about a statement made by a female individual. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in asking about what someone said.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

14%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "did she say" is a common and grammatically sound way to inquire about a statement made by someone. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's most frequently encountered in the news and media, as well as academic contexts. When using "did she say", be sure to clarify who "she" refers to, to avoid ambiguity. Common errors include using incorrect verb tenses such as "did she said". Related phrases include "what were her exact words?" or "how did she put it?". Overall, "did she say" is a versatile phrase for seeking information about a past statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What were her exact words?

Emphasizes the need for a precise account of what was said.

What statement did she make?

Formal way to inquire about her declaration.

What did she communicate?

Focuses on the act of conveying information, broader than just speaking.

How did she put it?

Asks for the manner or style in which something was expressed.

What was her response?

Specifically asks about her answer or reaction to something.

What did she mention?

Focuses on a specific point she brought up.

Can you repeat what she said?

Direct request to reiterate her statement.

What's her version of events?

Seeks her particular account of an incident or situation.

What was her comment?

Inquires about a remark or observation she made.

What insight did she offer?

Focuses on any perceptive or clarifying statement she provided.

FAQs

How can I use "did she say" in a sentence?

You can use "did she say" to inquire about a statement someone made, such as, "What "did she say" about the new project?" or "Did she say she would be able to attend the meeting?".

What are some alternative ways to ask what someone said?

Instead of "did she say", you could ask "What were her exact words?", "What statement did she make?", or "How did she put it?" depending on the context and the level of formality required.

Is it grammatically correct to use "did she said"?

No, "did she said" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "did she say". The auxiliary verb "did" already indicates past tense, so the main verb "say" should be in its base form.

What's the difference between "did she say" and "what did she say"?

"Did she say" is typically used to form a yes/no question, such as "Did she say she was coming?". "What did she say" is used to ask for specific information about what was said, such as "What "did she say" about the budget cuts?".