say about that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "say about that" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; a more appropriate phrase would be "say regarding that" or "say about it." Example: "What do you have to say about that?"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

What words can I say about that?

Independent

You got anything to say about that?

The New Yorker

What did Scott say about that?

The New York Times

That's all I'll really say about that".

The New York Times - Arts

Whatever you say about that, we talked.

The Guardian - Books

What can you say about that?

The Guardian - Sport

That's all I can say about that".

The Guardian - Film

So what do we say about that?

The New Yorker

That's about all I'm going to say about that".

The New York Times - Sports

I don't really know what else to say about that".

The New York Times - Sports

"I don't know what to say about that," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for formal writing, replace "say about that" with more grammatically sound alternatives such as "say regarding that" or "comment on that".

Common error

Avoid using "say about that" in professional documents or academic papers. It's better to use phrases like "state regarding that" or "express an opinion on that" for clarity and correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "say about that" primarily functions as a placeholder for expressing an opinion, reaction, or inquiry about a specific topic. While Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically incorrect, its frequent use in various contexts suggests it serves as a colloquial means of prompting or providing commentary. It's often used as a bridge to further elaboration or discussion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "say about that" is quite common, particularly in news and media contexts, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests opting for alternatives like "say regarding that" or "comment on that" for more formal or professional settings. Its primary function is to express an opinion or elicit a response, but users should be mindful of the context and audience to ensure appropriate and correct usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comment on that

Replaces "say about" with the verb "comment on", which is more concise and standard.

what do you think about that

Poses a direct question inquiring about one's opinion on the matter.

say regarding that

Replaces "about" with "regarding" for a more formal and grammatically correct preposition.

say about it

Substitutes "that" with "it", simplifying the sentence structure.

what is your opinion on that

Asks directly for someone's perspective or judgment regarding the subject.

state concerning that

Uses "state" instead of "say" and "concerning" for a more formal tone.

what are your thoughts on that

Reformulates the phrase as a direct question about someone's opinion.

remark about that

Uses "remark" instead of "say", offering a slightly more formal alternative.

what's your take on that

Offers a more informal way to ask for someone's opinion.

express about that

Uses "express" instead of "say", focusing on conveying an opinion or feeling.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the phrase "say about that" in a sentence?

While "say about that" is commonly used, it's often grammatically incorrect. Consider using "say regarding that" or "comment on that" for better grammar.

What's a more formal way to phrase "what do you say about that"?

For a more formal tone, you could ask "What are your thoughts on that?" or "What is your opinion on that?"

Is it appropriate to use "say about that" in professional writing?

No, "say about that" is generally not appropriate for professional writing. Use more formal alternatives like "state concerning that" or "remark about that".

What can I say instead of "I don't know what to say about that"?

Alternatives include "I'm unsure how to respond to that", "I lack sufficient information to comment", or "I don't have much more to say about that".