thus say

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thus say" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "thus saith" or "thus says." Example: "Thus saith the ancient text, 'Wisdom is the key to understanding.'"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Thus, say those on the left, his willingness to embrace austerity in the first place.

The Economist

Long-established institutions and practices have evolved over many generations and are thus, say conservatives, "tried and tested".

The Guardian - Opinion

Tunisian officials thus say they feel even more vindicated in their approach toward Islamists after Sept. 11.

The New York Times

They may thus, say the three economists, have been buying in order to exchange over-valued equity for real assets.

The Economist

Changing levels of self-reported prejudice over time thus say little about whether people are really becoming more racist.

The Economist

You could thus say that the government was in a difficult position, or that the black-money amnesty had left it compromised.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

"Thus," said the chairman, who asked to remain anonymous, "I won't quit my day job".

The New York Times

Beasley thus says the offense is based more on finesse than power.

The New York Times - Sports

We thus said, in effect, that limiting contributions left communication significantly unimpaired.

The New York Times

Thus, says Francis, environmental degradation is intimately linked to an erosion of human and ethical values.

The Guardian

Thus, said Nyoman No. 2, it's a mixed bag, tourism.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for grammatical precision, replace "thus say" with "thus says" or "thus saith", depending on the desired tone and context. "Thus says" is appropriate for modern usage, while "thus saith" lends a more archaic or formal feel.

Common error

The most common mistake is using the base form of the verb "say" after "thus". Always use the third-person singular form ("says" or "saith") to maintain grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thus say" functions as an introductory phrase to attribute a statement or declaration to a source. Although it is used to introduce a quote or opinion, Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

46%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "thus say" is frequently used across various domains like news and media and science, it is considered grammatically incorrect. The correct forms are "thus says" and the archaic "thus saith". As Ludwig AI indicates, it's essential to use these correct forms to maintain grammatical precision, especially in formal writing. When aiming for a more modern tone, rephrasing the sentence is often a better option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

thus says

Corrects the grammatical error by using the third-person singular form of the verb.

thus saith

Replaces "say" with the archaic "saith", providing a more formal tone, typically used in religious or historical contexts.

therefore, I say

Emphasizes a logical conclusion before stating an opinion or fact.

so I say

Highlights a personal assertion or opinion following a preceding statement.

consequently, I state

Presents a formal declaration that is a direct result of previous reasoning.

hence, one might say

Introduces a possibility or perspective that logically follows from prior information.

accordingly, I assert

Formally affirms a statement based on prior evidence or conditions.

in this manner, I express

Highlights the way something is communicated, adding a layer of formality to the expression.

in this way, I put it

Suggests a specific angle or manner in which information is being presented.

I would put it thus

Indicates an attempt to articulate something in a specific or deliberate manner.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "thus" with a verb of speaking?

The grammatically correct forms are "thus says" or "thus saith". "Thus says" is the modern form, while "thus saith" is archaic.

Is "thus say" ever appropriate in writing?

While "thus say" might appear in informal contexts or non-standard English, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect for formal writing. Opt for "thus says" or "thus saith" for accuracy.

What can I say instead of "thus say" to sound more modern?

For a modern alternative, consider phrases like "therefore I say", "so I say", or simply rephrase the sentence to avoid using "thus" directly. For example, use "I would argue" or "I contend".

How does "thus says" differ in formality from "thus saith"?

"Thus says" is the standard, grammatically correct form suitable for most contexts. "Thus saith" is an archaic form, generally reserved for religious texts, historical contexts, or to create a deliberate old-fashioned effect.