say

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "say" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the act of speaking or conveying information verbally. Example: "I want to say that I appreciate all your hard work on this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I couldn't say.

The New York Times - Food

What more can I say?

The New York Times - Sports

Who can say?

The New York Times

When we are on the tube, occasionally I have to say to a member of the public that my son is autistic and that I'm sorry he is staring.

The Guardian - Opinion

"There will be some circumstances in which it's right for public bodies, for example at the border, at airport security, to say there is a practical necessity for asking somebody to remove a veil.

The Guardian

"But I say to every parent, family member and friend of the children that my Government will do everything in its power to bring them home".

The Guardian

"That will likely lead, I'm sorry to say, to some people resigning from the government or being fired.

The Guardian

It's inevitable that one day, someone, somewhere will say that I've offended them, and that will be that".

The Guardian

No one can say for sure.

The New York Times

Many would say yes.

The Economist

It is not easy to say.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "say" in situations where you want to report what someone communicated, without necessarily endorsing the truth or accuracy of their statement.

Common error

In formal writing, avoid repetitive use of "say". Instead, use varied synonyms such as "state", "assert", or "contend" to enhance the text's sophistication and readability.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "say" is as a verb, used to express the act of speaking or conveying information. Ludwig AI shows examples of it introducing direct quotes, reporting indirect speech, and expressing opinions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "say" is a versatile and frequently used verb for expressing communication, reporting speech, and conveying information. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and applicable across various contexts, though varying word choice helps avoid repetition in more formal writing. The most common contexts for "say" are News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utter

Refers specifically to the act of speaking or pronouncing something.

state

Implies a more formal or deliberate declaration of something.

express

Focuses on conveying thoughts or feelings verbally or in writing.

declare

Suggests a formal or official announcement.

mention

Indicates a brief or casual reference to something.

articulate

Emphasizes clear and effective communication.

profess

Signifies openly declaring a feeling or belief.

voice

Suggests giving expression to an opinion or feeling.

allege

Indicates stating something as a fact without proof.

divulge

Implies revealing secret or private information.

FAQs

What can I use instead of "say" to introduce a quote?

You can use alternatives like "state", "assert", or "claim" depending on the context. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey regarding the speaker's confidence and the verifiability of the statement.

How do you properly use "say" when reporting speech?

When reporting speech, "say" is used to introduce direct or indirect quotations. For direct quotes: "He "said", 'I am going to the store.'" For indirect quotes: "He "said" that he was going to the store."

Is it ever incorrect to use the word "say"?

While "say" is generally versatile, overuse can make writing seem repetitive. In formal or academic contexts, substituting with more precise verbs like "argue", "suggest", or "imply" can improve clarity and sophistication.

What's the difference between "say" and "tell"?

"Say" focuses on the act of uttering words, while "tell" focuses on conveying information to someone. You "say" something, but you "tell" someone something. For example, "He "said", 'Hello,'" versus "He "told" me his name."