they say

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'they say' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are summarizing information or ideas that are widely accepted or commonly believed. For example: "They say laughter is the best medicine, and it is true - it can help reduce stress and improve overall wellbeing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They say.

Independent

They say what they say.

The Washington Post

Despair, they say.

The New Yorker

They say never again.

The New York Times - Travel

Some things, they say,.

The New Yorker

For now, they say.

The New York Times

They say, "Ohhh.

The New York Times

They say the I.M.F.

The New Yorker

Here, they say.

The New York Times - Books

As they say.

The New Yorker

They say despair.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they say", be mindful of the source and credibility of the information you are conveying to avoid spreading misinformation.

Common error

Avoid using "they say" as a substitute for proper research and citation. Always provide specific sources or evidence to support claims when possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they say" functions as an introductory device to report common knowledge, opinions, or arguments. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It serves to introduce a viewpoint that will be further discussed or challenged.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Academia

8%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they say" is a grammatically sound and widely used construction for introducing common knowledge, beliefs, or arguments. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's effective across various registers, especially in news, media and scientific contexts. When using "they say", be mindful to provide context and, when possible, specific sources for the claims presented. Consider alternatives like "it is said" or "it is believed" for more formal settings. The high frequency and consistent usage across authoritative sources reinforce its reliability as a valuable tool in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is said

Formal alternative emphasizing a general statement.

it's believed

Focuses on the belief aspect, implying widespread acceptance.

people claim

Highlights the act of claiming something, possibly with a hint of skepticism.

the common wisdom is

Emphasizes that something is a widely held belief or assumption.

sources indicate

Formal and factual alternative, suggesting information comes from specific sources.

reports suggest

Similar to 'sources indicate' but emphasizes the reporting aspect.

it's rumored

Suggests the information is circulating as a rumor.

it is alleged

Indicates an unproven accusation or claim.

the word is

Informal way of indicating prevailing opinion or information.

as everyone knows

Highlights a piece of information that is considered to be very well known.

FAQs

How can I use "they say" in a sentence?

You can use "they say" to introduce a common belief or argument before presenting your own view. For example, "They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but recent studies suggest otherwise".

What's a more formal alternative to "they say"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "it is said", "it is believed", or "sources indicate".

When is it appropriate to use "they say"?

It's appropriate to use "they say" when you want to refer to a general opinion or widely held belief, especially as a starting point for further discussion or analysis.

Is it okay to start a paragraph with "they say"?

Yes, starting a paragraph with "they say" can be an effective way to introduce a common viewpoint that you will then explore, support, or challenge in the rest of the paragraph.