how to say

USAGE SUMMARY

"how to say" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to ask a question, for example: "I'm not sure how to say this, can you help me?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How to Say, 'I'm Rich'?

The New York Times

How to say things.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

He obviously knew how to say no.

Independent

How to say it.

The New York Times

How to say this politely?

The New York Times

Listen, how to say this?

The Guardian

I didn't know how to say it.

The New York Times

"They didn't know how to say no.

The New York Times

I don't know how to say this.

The Guardian - Sport

How to say no to that?

The Guardian - Books

I know how to say some things.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with adverbs like 'politely', 'kindly', or 'modestly' to set the tone of your communication in formal writing.

Common error

A common mistake for non-native speakers is writing 'how to said' instead of "how to say". Remember that the word 'to' must be followed by the base form of the verb to create the infinitive structure.

Linguistic Context

In English grammar, "how to say" acts as an interrogative infinitive phrase. It commonly functions as a direct object in a sentence (e.g., 'I know "how to say" it') or as a relative clause used to introduce a method of communication, as frequently seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "how to say" is a cornerstone of functional English, appearing across a vast spectrum of registers from high-authority news like The New York Times to practical guides like WikiHow. As noted by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and exceptionally versatile. Whether used to navigate social awkwardness ('I'm not sure "how to say" this politely') or to bridge a language gap ('"how to say" hello in 50 languages'), it remains an indispensable tool for clear and intentional communication. Its high frequency in the dataset indicates it is a vital structure for both native speakers and learners seeking clarity in expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how to pronounce

Focuses specifically on the phonetic sounds and vocal delivery of words

the way to express

Shifts the focus to the conceptual delivery of an idea or emotion

how to articulate

Emphasizes clarity and the structured formation of speech or thoughts

how to put into words

An idiomatic alternative for describing the struggle of verbalizing thoughts

how to word

Focuses on the specific choice of vocabulary or phrasing in a sentence

how to communicate

Broader term encompassing non-verbal and general exchange of information

how to convey

Focuses on the transmission of a message or intent to an audience

the manner of stating

More formal and structural way to describe a declaration

how to verbalize

A more technical or psychological term for turning thoughts into speech

the phrasing for

Directly addresses the specific arrangement of words used

FAQs

How do I use "how to say" in a sentence?

You can use it as a noun clause within a sentence, for example: 'I am learning "how to say" hello in French' or 'She wasn't sure "how to say" no to the request'.

What is the difference between "how to say" and "how to pronounce"?

While often overlapping, "how to say" refers to general verbalization or vocabulary choice, whereas "how to pronounce" specifically refers to the correct phonetic sound of a word.

What can I use instead of "how to say" for formal writing?

In formal contexts, you might prefer terms like "how to articulate", "how to convey", or "how to express" to sound more professional.

Is it "how to say" or "how to said"?

The correct form is always "how to say" because the infinitive marker 'to' requires the base verb form, not the past tense.