she would say

USAGE SUMMARY

"she would say" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when the writer wishes to express that somebody previously said something. For example: "My mother always told me 'Be yourself', she would say".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"No," she would say.

The New Yorker

"What?" she would say.

The New Yorker

"How's yours?" she would say.

The New Yorker

"I'm inarticulate," she would say.

The Economist

"You decide," she would say.

The New York Times

"Second-oldest," she would say.

The New York Times - Arts

"She would say 'I'm so lonely.

The New York Times

The dichotomy, she would say, is false.

The New Yorker

She would say: 'You can do this.

The New York Times - Magazine

She would say what kind they were.

The New York Times

"You're being picky," she would say.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she would say" to indicate a habitual or characteristic statement from a person in the past. This construction is useful for conveying recurring thoughts or opinions.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses inconsistently when using "she would say". Ensure the surrounding narrative maintains a consistent past tense for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she would say" functions as a narrative device to introduce a recurring quote or habitual expression of a person in the past. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she would say" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a recurring statement or opinion from someone in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard expression. It's frequently found in news and media, as well as scientific and formal business contexts. When using "she would say", ensure consistency in tense and avoid using it in future contexts. Consider alternatives like "she used to say" or "she often said" for slight shifts in emphasis. This phrase effectively conveys a sense of habitual expression and is a valuable tool for narrative writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she'd say

Contraction of "she would say", providing a slightly more informal tone.

she used to say

Focuses on past habits or repeated actions.

she was known to say

Highlights the characteristic nature of her saying something.

she often said

Emphasizes the frequency of her saying something.

she remarked

Implies a more formal or thoughtful statement.

she commented

Similar to remarked, but can also apply to less formal situations.

she stated

Suggests a clear and direct declaration.

her response would be

Focuses on the predictable nature of her reply.

she declared

Implies a more emphatic or formal announcement.

as she would put it

Highlights her unique way of phrasing something.

FAQs

How can I use "she would say" in a sentence?

Use "she would say" to indicate a recurring or habitual statement someone made in the past. For example, "Whenever I felt discouraged, "she would say", 'Keep trying, you'll get there'".

What's a more formal alternative to "she would say"?

More formal alternatives include "she remarked" or "she stated", which imply a more deliberate or thoughtful statement.

How does "she would say" differ from "she said"?

"She said" refers to a single instance of speaking, while "she would say" implies a repeated or habitual action. Using "she would say" suggests this was something she often said.

Is it correct to use "she will say" instead of "she would say"?

Using "she will say" shifts the sentence to the future tense, indicating what she is expected to say in the future. "She would say" refers to a past habit or tendency.