she says

USAGE SUMMARY

"she says" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when providing a direct quotation or when introducing a quote. For example: She says, "I'm looking forward to this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

she says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

." she says.

The Washington Post

She says.

The Guardian - Books

"Very well," she says.

The New York Times - Magazine

All right, she says.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Thank you," she says.

The New Yorker

"Bail," she says.

The New Yorker

"I'm alive," she says.

The New York Times - Arts

"Nobody," she says.

The New Yorker

"Listen," she says.

Independent

"You can," she says.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary the reporting verb to provide more nuance to the way statements are presented. Consider alternatives such as "she explains" or "she notes".

Common error

Avoid inconsistent verb tenses when using "she says". Ensure the tense of the reporting verb aligns with the tense of the quoted material.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she says" functions as a reporting verb phrase. It introduces direct speech or paraphrases statements made by a female subject. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in conveying information, opinions, and narratives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she says" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a female speaker's words or thoughts. According to Ludwig, its usage is appropriate in various contexts. While "she says" is generally acceptable, considering the context and formality level is always good practice. Ludwig's examples highlight how the phrase effectively conveys information and dialogue in both formal and informal settings. The varied sources, from news articles to scientific papers, confirm its widespread applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she explains

Indicates a clarification or detailed account.

she states

Emphasizes a formal declaration or assertion.

she notes

Highlights a specific point or observation.

she remarks

Suggests a casual or brief comment.

she mentions

Indicates a passing reference or inclusion of information.

she adds

Implies an additional piece of information to a previous statement.

according to her

Shifts the focus to the source of the information, attributing it to her.

her words were

Highlights the exact phrasing used by the speaker.

she claims

Suggests the statement may be disputed or unverified.

she believes

Indicates a personal opinion or conviction.

FAQs

How to use "she says" in a sentence?

Use "she says" to introduce a quote or a paraphrase of what a female subject has stated. For instance, "She says, "I'm going to the store"".

What can I say instead of "she says"?

You can use alternatives like "she states", "she remarks", or "she explains" to vary your writing and provide nuance.

Is it correct to use "she says" in formal writing?

Yes, "she says" is acceptable in formal writing, but consider using more formal alternatives like "she asserts" or "she declares" for added gravitas.

What's the difference between "she says" and "she said"?

"She says" is used when reporting something in the present tense, while "she said" is used for reporting something in the past. For example, "She says she's happy" (present) versus "She said she was happy" (past).