to say

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to say" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express the act of speaking or conveying information verbally. Example: "He didn't know how to say what he was feeling."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He refuses to say.

The New York Times

Going to say.

The New Yorker

"It's easier to say".

The New York Times - Sports

Calling to say what?

The New Yorker

To say it.

The New Yorker

To say nothing?

The New Yorker

Tough to say.

The New Yorker

Impossible to say.

The New York Times

Or used to say.

The New York Times

"It's impossible to say".

The New York Times - Magazine

That's difficult to say.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider alternatives like "to express" or "to articulate" for more precise communication.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "to say" in formal documents. Opt for stronger verbs such as "assert", "contend", or "explain" for greater impact and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to say" primarily functions as an infinitive verb phrase. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its role in expressing the act of speaking or conveying information, often used to introduce statements or express opinions. For example, "It's easy "to say"" or "He refused "to say"".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to say" is a versatile and grammatically sound infinitive verb phrase widely used across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage in news, media, and general conversation. While predominantly neutral in register, it's crucial to consider context and choose more precise verbs in formal writing. When writing, consider using stronger verbs like "assert" or "contend" to avoid over-reliance. As demonstrated by examples from authoritative sources, the phrase maintains consistency and is appropriate for general communication needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to express

Emphasizes conveying thoughts or feelings rather than just speaking words.

to articulate

Suggests a more precise and clear way of expressing something.

to state

Implies a formal and direct way of communicating information.

to mention

Indicates a brief or casual reference to something.

to utter

Focuses on the act of producing sound or words.

to declare

Signifies a formal and often public announcement.

to communicate

Highlights the exchange of information between individuals.

to voice

Suggests expressing an opinion or feeling.

to profess

Indicates openly declaring a belief or feeling.

to put it

Indicates a specific way of phrasing something.

FAQs

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

You can use "to say" in various ways, such as "He had something "to say" about the matter" or "It's difficult "to say" what will happen next".

What are some alternatives "to say"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to express", "to articulate", or "to state".

Is it correct to use "to say" at the beginning of a sentence?

While less common, starting a sentence with "To say the least" is grammatically correct and used for emphasis.

What's the difference between ""to say"" and "to tell"?

"To say" is a general term for expressing something, while "to tell" implies conveying information or a story.