the caption says

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the caption says" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the text that accompanies an image or illustration, typically in a book, article, or social media post. Example: "In the photograph of the sunset, the caption says, 'A moment of tranquility at dusk.'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The caption says: "Dad's nose.

Independent

(The caption says, "Here there are blueberries").

The New Yorker

"MYTH BUSTER," the caption says.

The Washington Post

The caption says, "Hamburg, July, 1943".

The New York Times - Books

"Blackie ain't good for nothing," the caption says.

The New Yorker

"A story of darkness and light", the caption says.

The Guardian

12.32pm: Monte Carlo! (not Bust; the caption says Monte Carlo).

The Guardian - Film

It looks, the caption says, as if his "beloved Newark" were "oozing out of his head".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The caption said: "Run for your lives!

The New York Times - Arts

"It looks good on him," the caption said.

The New York Times

The caption said, "The Deer Are Plentiful in Maine".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the caption says", ensure the caption is clearly visible and directly related to the content you are discussing. This provides context and credibility.

Common error

Avoid drawing conclusions that are not explicitly stated or clearly implied by the caption. Stick to the facts presented to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the caption says" functions as an introductory phrase, signaling that the following information is directly sourced from the caption of an image or illustration. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the caption says" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase for attributing information directly to the caption of an image or illustration. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and prevalence, particularly in news and media contexts. Alternative phrases like "the caption states" or "according to the caption" can be used to vary the expression while maintaining clarity. When using this phrase, ensure accurate representation of the caption's content and avoid drawing unsupported inferences. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the caption states

Replaces "says" with "states", implying a more formal or definitive declaration.

the caption indicates

Substitutes "says" with "indicates", suggesting the caption hints at or points to something.

the caption reads

Uses "reads" instead of "says", focusing on the act of interpreting the caption's text.

the caption explains

Replaces "says" with "explains", implying the caption clarifies or provides more information.

according to the caption

Adds "according to", emphasizing the caption as the source of the information.

the caption mentions

Uses "mentions" instead of "says", suggesting the caption briefly refers to something.

the caption describes

Substitutes "says" with "describes", highlighting how the caption portrays the subject.

the caption notes

Replaces "says" with "notes", indicating the caption draws attention to a particular detail.

the text in the caption says

Adds a reference to the 'text', putting emphasis on it.

as the caption says

Adds "as", to provide more information.

FAQs

How to use "the caption says" in a sentence?

Use "the caption says" to introduce information directly quoted or paraphrased from a caption, such as, "In the photo, "the caption says", 'A moment of reflection'".

What can I say instead of "the caption says"?

You can use alternatives like "the caption states", "the caption reads", or "according to the caption" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "the caption says" or "the caption said"?

"The caption says" is used when referring to a caption in the present tense, while "the caption said" is used when referring to a caption in the past tense. Choose the tense that matches the context of your writing.

Is it redundant to say "the caption says"?

While it can sometimes be redundant, ""the caption says"" is useful for clarity, especially when distinguishing the caption's information from other sources or interpretations. It explicitly attributes the information to the caption.