saying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "saying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of expressing something verbally or when quoting someone’s words. Example: "He was saying that we should consider a different approach to the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He's not saying.

The Guardian

"It is really important for the party that it is not defensive about the past but is absolutely honest and clear-eyed and faces up to the truth of what people are saying".

The Guardian

"The whole category has been very euphemistic, or paternalistic even, and we're saying, enough with the euphemisms, and get over it.

The New York Times

I'm not saying that.

The New York Times

So by saying I hope people will think carefully, you imply the second.

The Guardian

Apple's chief designer Jonathan Ive recently criticised Xiaomi's alleged copying of its iPhone, saying: "It is theft and it is lazy.

The Guardian - Tech

"It's pretty horrific to push a mother to a point of saying, 'Well, if I need to sacrifice myself for my children, maybe that's what I'll do,' " she said.

The Guardian

I felt that my friends and neighbors were saying that my love is not the same as theirs".

The Economist

Levin seems to be saying that this means there's a conflict of interest between the casino and the bettor, and that it's illegitimate for the casino to take the bet.

The Economist

The uncertainty that's keeping businesses from spending or hiring isn't uncertainty about what Barack Obama is doing or saying.

The Economist

(Saying that, if you had that face and figure you'd look good in a bin-liner. I'm now trying to remember if she ever wore a bin-liner).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "saying" when you want to report someone's direct words or paraphrase their statement. For variety, consider synonyms like "stating" or "remarking" depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "saying" to introduce a formal argument or thesis. Opt for more formal terms such as "asserting", "declaring", or "positing" to lend more weight to your statement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "saying" is as a present participle of the verb "say", often used in continuous verb tenses to describe an ongoing action of speaking or expressing something. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "saying" functions primarily as a verb and is often deployed within reporting speech, as evidenced by Ludwig. With a neutral register predominating in news and media, the phrase maintains grammatical accuracy and widespread applicability. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. To improve writing quality it's recommended that the writer avoids using "saying" when introducing a formal argument or thesis and consider using synonyms such as "stating", "expressing", or "remarking" depending on the specific nuance of the situation to add variety to one's writing and also to avoid redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Declaring

Highlights an official or emphatic pronouncement.

Stating

Focuses on a formal declaration or announcement.

Asserting

Indicates a confident and forceful statement.

Expressing

Emphasizes the communication of feelings or thoughts.

Remarking

Suggests a brief comment or observation.

Articulating

Emphasizes clarity and precision in expression.

Mentioning

Implies a casual or incidental reference.

Narrating

Focuses on recounting a story or event.

Recounting

Similar to narrating, but often implies a more detailed account.

Communicating

Broadly refers to the process of conveying information.

FAQs

How can I use "saying" in a sentence?

You can use "saying" to report someone's words or thoughts. For example: "He was "saying" that he would be late."

What are some alternatives to "saying"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "stating", "expressing", or "remarking".

Is it correct to use "saying" in formal writing?

While "saying" is grammatically correct, it might be more appropriate to use more formal alternatives such as "asserting" or "declaring" in formal writing.

What's the difference between "saying" and "telling"?

"Saying" generally refers to the act of uttering words, while "telling" often implies conveying information or instructing someone. For example, you might be ""saying" hello", but you would be "telling a story".