say otherwise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "say otherwise" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to indicate that one's opinion or belief is different from someone else's statement or claim. Example: "The teacher insisted that the homework was due tomorrow, but the students would say otherwise. They believed they had another day to complete it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Entergy officials say otherwise.

The New York Times

Theater owners say otherwise.

The New York Times

The statistics say otherwise.

The New York Times - Sports

The ratings say otherwise.

The Washington Post

Why say otherwise?

The New Yorker

Their actions say otherwise.

The Washington Post

But the facts say otherwise.

The New York Times

The schools might say otherwise.

The New York Times

It's dishonest to say otherwise.

The Economist

New Labour's cronies say otherwise.

The Economist

The Georgians say otherwise.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "say otherwise" to politely introduce a contrasting viewpoint, especially when directly challenging a preceding statement.

Common error

While acceptable, "say otherwise" can sound less formal than alternatives like "argue the contrary" or "contend differently" in academic or professional contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "say otherwise" functions as a hedge or discourse marker, signaling a disagreement or contrasting perspective to a previously stated claim. It sets up a counter-argument or contradictory evidence, as shown in many examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "say otherwise" is a common and grammatically correct way to introduce a contrasting viewpoint or disagreement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it effectively signals that the speaker or writer holds a different opinion or has conflicting information. While versatile, it is best suited for neutral to informal contexts, with news media being the most frequent source. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "argue the contrary". The abundance of examples in Ludwig shows its wide applicability in conveying differing perspectives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

think otherwise

A more informal and personal way to express a differing opinion.

claim the opposite

This phrase directly contradicts the initial statement with an explicit counter-claim.

argue the contrary

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes a reasoned disagreement.

believe the opposite

Indicates a strong conviction that the contrary is true.

contend differently

This phrase suggests a formal and assertive assertion of a different viewpoint.

disagree

A simple and direct way to express a difference in opinion.

hold a different opinion

Emphasizes personal belief rather than a factual contradiction.

present an alternative view

Focuses on offering a different perspective or interpretation.

take a different stance

Highlights a differing position or attitude on a particular issue.

see it another way

This phrase focuses on a difference in perspective or interpretation.

FAQs

How can I use "say otherwise" in a sentence?

Use "say otherwise" to indicate that someone's opinion or belief is different from a statement or claim. For example: "The company claims profits are up, but financial reports "suggest otherwise"."

What are some alternatives to "say otherwise"?

You can use alternatives like "argue the contrary", "claim the opposite", or simply "disagree" depending on the level of formality required.

Is it always appropriate to use "say otherwise"?

While grammatically correct, "say otherwise" may not always be the most suitable choice for highly formal or academic writing. Consider alternatives that convey a more assertive or reasoned disagreement.

What's the difference between "say otherwise" and "think otherwise"?

"Say otherwise" implies a public or explicit statement of a differing view, whereas "think otherwise" suggests a private or internal disagreement.