say something like

USAGE SUMMARY

"say something like" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to introduce a phrase or quote that summarises your point or opinion. For example, "Say something like, 'Life is too short to dwell on the past.'".

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I will say something like: 'Hi.

Independent

Don't say something like that".

The New Yorker

Bradbury would say something like: "Not bad.

The Guardian - Books

Feinstein's poems say something like this too.

The Guardian - Books

One second to say something like that?

The Guardian - Music

Translated they say something like "Happy to be Turkish".

Independent

You can't say something like that.

BBC

"Sometimes we'll say something like, 'stay committed'.

BBC

Say something like, "Are you feeling OK?

Forbes

Say something like, "Whoa!

Huffington Post

O: And the counsellor didn't say something like, "Well, shall we get on with the lesson".

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "say something like", ensure the example is relevant and easily understood by your audience.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple sentences or paragraphs with "say something like". Vary your language by using synonyms such as "articulate something along the lines of" or "utter a phrase akin to" for a more engaging text.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "say something like" serves as a discourse marker, introducing an example or a paraphrased version of a statement. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage across diverse scenarios, from offering advice to summarizing dialogue.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

35%

News & Media

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "say something like" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to introduce examples or paraphrased statements. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase enjoys widespread usage across various contexts, including wiki pages, news articles, and scientific publications. To enhance your writing, consider using alternative expressions like "articulate something along the lines of" or "offer a statement resembling" to avoid repetition. Remember, while the phrase is versatile, ensure that the examples you provide are relevant and easily understood. It's a simple phrase to add impact to your point in different forms of writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quote in a fashion similar to

Indicates a paraphrased or slightly altered quote.

articulate something along the lines of

Highlights the expression of an idea, emphasizing approximation.

offer a statement resembling

Highlights that the statement is similar but not exact.

utter a phrase akin to

More formal and emphasizes the act of speaking with a degree of similarity.

recite a line similar to

Specifically refers to reciting or repeating a line with slight variations.

suggest an expression akin to

Emphasizes the suggestion of a similar expression, suitable for hypothetical scenarios.

express in a manner similar to

Focuses on the way the idea is conveyed, highlighting the similarity in expression.

remark with a sentiment close to

Emphasizes the sentiment or feeling behind the statement.

share an idea mirroring

Focuses on the mirroring of an idea or concept.

voice words to the effect of

Formal, suggesting a summary or paraphrase of what was said.

FAQs

How can I use "say something like" in a sentence?

You can use "say something like" to introduce an example of what someone might say, for instance, "To comfort her, you could "say something like", 'I understand what you're going through.'"

What are some alternatives to "say something like"?

Alternatives include "articulate something along the lines of", "utter a phrase akin to", or "offer a statement resembling", depending on the formality and context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "say something like"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used to introduce an approximate or representative statement.

What's the difference between "say something like" and "exactly say"?

"Say something like" introduces an example, while "exactly say" implies a precise quote. If you don't remember the exact words, "say something like" is more appropriate.