says that

USAGE SUMMARY

"says that" is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it as an introductory phrase to report someone else's opinion or beliefs. For example: My teacher says that adequate sleep is essential for a good education.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Goldman says that is nonsense.

The New York Times

Caterpillar says that is unlikely.

The New York Times

He says that is cheating".

The New York Times - Books

Wiest says, "That was it.

The New Yorker

And he says, "That was it".

The New York Times

"And everyone says that is too cheap.

The New Yorker

Dr. Grinter says that is short-sighted.

The New York Times - Health

Miller says: "That was seven years ago!

The New York Times

Vallejo says that mystery joins together.

The New Yorker

This says that is bounded.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

Novartis says that isn't significant.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your reporting verbs (e.g., states, claims, indicates) to avoid repetition and reflect the nuance of the original statement.

Common error

While "says that" is grammatically correct, its overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. In formal contexts, consider using stronger verbs like "asserts", "contends", or "posits" for more impact and variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "says that" functions as a reporting verb phrase. It introduces reported speech or indirect quotations, indicating that someone has made a statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid phrase for this purpose. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its common usage in attributing information to various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "says that" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to introduce reported speech or indirect quotations. According to Ludwig AI, it is a valid phrase. While versatile and suitable for various contexts, it's advisable to vary your reporting verbs for stylistic reasons, especially in formal writing. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, reflecting its role in reporting information from diverse sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mentions that

Similar in meaning, but can imply a more casual or brief reference.

states that

More formal and direct, suggesting a clear and explicit declaration.

indicates that

Suggests that something is being shown or pointed out, rather than explicitly said.

reports that

Implies the relaying of information, often from an external source or observation.

claims that

Suggests the assertion may be debatable or lacking full proof.

asserts that

Stronger than "says", implying a firm and confident declaration.

observes that

Highlights a conclusion drawn from careful watching or noting of something.

notes that

Similar to "observes", but can be used for more general or commonplace observations.

points out that

Directs attention to a specific detail or fact.

suggests that

More tentative, implying a hint or indirect statement.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "says that"?

You can use alternatives like "states that", "mentions that", or "indicates that" depending on the context.

How do I use "says that" in a sentence?

Use "says that" to introduce a reported statement. For example, "The article says that the economy is improving."

Is it ever incorrect to use "says that"?

While grammatically correct, overusing "says that" can make your writing sound monotonous. Consider varying your reporting verbs for better style.

What's the difference between "says that" and "claims that"?

Claims that often implies the statement is debatable or lacks full proof, while "says that" is more neutral.