what does it say

USAGE SUMMARY

"what does it say" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to ask someone to explain something that you cannot understand. For example, "I don't understand what this note says. What does it say?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So what does it say?

The New York Times

No, what does it say?

The New York Times

But what does it say about Britain?

The Economist

"What does it say about our country?

The New York Times

What does it say about right now?

The New Yorker

What does it say about human culture?

The New York Times

What does it say on it?

Independent

But what does it say?

The Guardian - Arts

And what does it say about Microsoft?

The New York Times - Tech

DR. TYSON -- What does it say?

The New York Times - Science

What does it say about the architects?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what does it say" to directly ask for the content of a written message, inscription, or sign when clarity is needed. It's effective when you need specific information verbatim.

Common error

Avoid using "what does it say" when you actually want to know the meaning or implication of something. If you're interested in the interpretation, alternatives like "what does it mean" or "what does it imply" are more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what does it say" serves as an interrogative clause used to elicit the specific content or wording of something written or printed. It functions to request information about the exact message being conveyed, as shown in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what does it say" is a common and grammatically correct interrogative phrase used to request the specific content of a written message. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and general conversation. While versatile, it's important to differentiate its use from phrases like "what does it mean", which seeks interpretation rather than direct content. To avoid misinterpretations, use "what does it say" when you need the exact wording of something. Remember, its neutral register makes it appropriate for both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what is the meaning of it

Replaces the verb "say" with "meaning", focusing on the interpretation of something.

what is it telling me

Uses "telling" instead of "say", implying a message or instruction.

what does it imply

Focuses on the inferred meaning rather than the direct statement.

what is the message

Asks directly for the underlying message being conveyed.

how can it be interpreted

Shifts the focus to the subjective interpretation of something.

what is its significance

Inquires about the importance or relevance of something.

what does it signify

Similar to "imply", but with a stronger emphasis on symbolic meaning.

what is the gist of it

Asks for a summary or the main point.

what's the long and short of it

Seeks a concise explanation or summary.

what is the bottom line

Focuses on the essential or most important information.

FAQs

How can I use "what does it say" in a sentence?

You can use "what does it say" when you need to know the precise words written on something. For example, if you're looking at a sign and can't read it clearly, you might ask, "What does it say?"

What's the difference between "what does it say" and "what does it mean"?

"What does it say" asks for the exact words. "What does it mean" asks for an interpretation or explanation. If someone says, "I feel blue", asking "what does it say" wouldn't make sense; you'd ask "what does it mean?"

What can I say instead of "what does it say"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "what is written", "can you read it?", or "what are the words?"

Is "what does it says" grammatically correct?

No, "what does it says" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "what does it say". The auxiliary verb "does" already indicates the third-person singular, so the main verb remains in its base form.