say

verb

/seɪ/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they say	/seɪ/ /seɪ/
he / she / it says	/sez/ /sez/
past simple said	/sed/ /sed/
past participle said	/sed/ /sed/
-ing form saying	/ˈseɪɪŋ/ /ˈseɪɪŋ/

Idioms

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speak

[intransitive, transitive] to speak or tell somebody something, using words

+ speech ‘Hello!’ she said.
‘That was marvellous,’ said Daniel.
A legendary football coach once said, ‘Winning is everything.’

In stories the subject often comes after said, says or say when it follows the actual words spoken, unless it is a pronoun.

say something Be quiet, I have something to say.
Come and say hello.
Please say yes!
I didn't believe a word she said.
That's a terrible thing to say.
say something to somebody She said nothing to me about it.
say to somebody/yourself + speech I said to myself (= thought), ‘That can't be right!’
say (that)… He said (that) his name was Sam.
Can I just say I'm not happy about this.
I have to say I was pleasantly surprised.
it is said that… It is said that she lived to be over 100.
say what, how, etc… She finds it hard to say what she feels.
‘That's impossible!’ ‘So you say (= but I think you may be wrong).’
‘Why can't I go out now?’ ‘Because I say so.’
‘What do you want it for?’ ‘I'd rather not say.’
say to do something He said to meet him here.
be said to be/have something He is said to have been a brilliant scholar.

Express Yourself InterruptingInterruptingYou may need to say something when somebody else is speaking, or you may be chairing a discussion where you have to stop one person talking too much. If you start talking at the same time as someone else, this will seem rude. To interrupt politely, you can say, for example:

- Sorry to interrupt, but I have to disagree with that.
- Could I just say something here?
- If I could, let me stop you there for a moment and go back to your previous point.
- Actually, we seem to have strayed a bit from the topic. Can we go back to the first point?
- Just a moment, Sue. Can we hear what Jack has to say on this?
- May I interrupt you there? I don't think that's true.
(formal)
- I’m sorry, but we’re running short on time. Can you please summarize very quickly so we can finish up?
(formal)
- I appreciate your enthusiasm on this topic, but I’m afraid we have a couple more people to hear from.
(formal)
- Could you two please discuss that issue privately after the meeting? We have several more items to cover and need to move on at this point.
(formal)
- I’m sorry, I really have to stop you there. We've run out of time.
(formal)
- Let’s save that conversation for another time.

Which Word? say / tellsay / tell

Say never has a person as the object. You say something or say something to somebody. Say is often used when you are giving somebody’s exact words:
- ‘Sit down,’ she said.
- Anne said, ‘I’m tired.’
- Anne said (that) she was tired.
- What did he say to you?
You cannot use ‘say about’, but say something about is correct:
- I want to say something/a few words/a little about my family.
Say can also be used with a clause when the person you are talking to is not mentioned:
- She didn’t say what she intended to do.
Tell usually has a person as the object and often has two objects:
- Have you told him the news yet?
It is often used with ‘that’ clauses:
- Anne told me (that) she was tired.
Tell is usually used when somebody is giving facts or information, often with what, where, etc:
- Can you tell me when the movie starts?
(BUT:
- Can you give me some information about the school?
) Tell is also used when you are giving somebody instructions:
- The doctor told me to stay in bed.
- The doctor told me (that) I had to stay in bed.
OR
- The doctor said (that) I had to stay in bed.
NOT
- The doctor said me to stay in bed.

Extra Examples

‘I am home, ’ he said simply.
‘I don't know,’ she said crossly.
‘There's nothing wrong with him, ’ she said airily.
‘Well, at least we tried!’ he said with a shrug.
‘You'll see!’ Lianne said with a smile.
A government spokesman was quoted as saying that they would take steps to restore order.
Can you honestly say you're sorry?
I dared not say a word about it to anyone.
I heard him say they were leaving tomorrow.
I've forgotten what I was going to say.

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb

aloud
out loud
loudly
…

verb + say

be about to
be going to
hasten to
…

preposition

about
to

phrases

be quoted as saying something
a thing to say
I have to say
…

See full entry

repeat words

[transitive] say something to repeat words, phrases, etc.

to say a prayer
Try to say that line with more conviction.

give written information

[transitive, no passive] (of something that is written or can be seen) to give particular information or instructions

+ speech The notice said ‘Keep Out’.
say something The clock said three o'clock.
say (that)… The instructions say (that) we should leave it to set for four hours.
say where, why, etc… The book doesn't say where he was born.
say to do something The guidebook says to turn left.

express opinion

[transitive, intransitive] to express an opinion on something

say something Say what you like (= although you disagree) about her, she's a fine singer.
I'll say this for them, they're a very efficient company.
Anna thinks I'm lazy—what do you say (= what is your opinion)?
say (that)… I can't say I blame her for resigning (= I think she was right).
I have to say I enjoyed every minute.
I say (= suggest) we go without them.
I wouldn't say they were rich (= in my opinion they are not rich).
That's not to say it's a bad movie (= it is good but it is not without faults).
say what, how, etc… It's hard to say what caused the accident.
It's difficult to say whether the story is true.
‘When will it be finished?’ ‘I couldn't say (= I don't know).’
Is it worth it? I would say not.

Extra Examples

Do you have anything to say about this?
I wouldn't like to say what the impact might be on my business.
She wasn't at her best, it has to be said.
It's difficult to say exactly where it will land.
I hate to say it, but I think Stephen may be right.
I have to say I didn't expect it to be so good.
It is fair to say a considerable amount of effort went into the project.

Topics Opinion and argumentb1

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb

aloud
out loud
loudly
…

verb + say

be about to
be going to
hasten to
…

preposition

about
to

phrases

be quoted as saying something
a thing to say
I have to say
…

See full entry

show thoughts/feelings

[transitive] to make thoughts, feelings, etc. clear to somebody by using words, looks, movements, etc.

say something His angry glance said it all.
Just what is the artist trying to say in her work?
say something about somebody/something The museum's architects have managed to say something about our national story.

show what somebody/something is like

[transitive] to show, sometimes indirectly, what somebody/something is like

say something That says it all really, doesn't it? (= it shows clearly what is true)
say something about somebody/something The incident says an awful lot about his character.
say something to somebody This says to me that there is more here than you are letting on.

give example

[transitive, no passive] to suggest or give something as an example or a possibility

say something/somebody You could learn the basics in, let's say, three months.
Let’s take any writer, say (= for example) Dickens…
say (that)… Say you lose your job: what would you do then?
Just say he refuses to talk to you.

Topics Suggestions and adviceb2

Word OriginOld English secgan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zeggen and German sagen.

Idioms

be easier said than done

(saying) to be much more difficult to do than to talk about
- ‘Why don't you get yourself a job?’ ‘That's easier said than done.’

before you can say Jack Robinson

(old-fashioned) very quickly; in a very short time

enough said

used to say that you understand a situation and there is no need to say any more
- ‘He's a politician, remember.’ ‘Enough said.’

go without saying

to be very obvious or easy to predict
- Of course I'll help you. That goes without saying.

have something, nothing, etc. to say for yourself

to be ready, unwilling, etc. to talk or give your views on something
- She doesn't have much to say for herself (= doesn't take part in conversation).
- He had plenty to say for himself (= he had a lot of opinions and was willing to talk).
- Late again—what have you got to say for yourself (= what is your excuse)?

have something to say (to somebody) about something

to be angry
- He knew that if he wasn't back by midnight, his parents would have something to say about it.

having said that | that said

(informal) used to introduce an opinion that makes what you have just said seem less strong
- I sometimes get worried in this job. Having said that, I enjoy doing it, it's a challenge.
Topics Opinion and argumentc1

I dare say

(also I daresay especially in British English)

used when you are saying that something is likely
- I dare say you know about it already.
Topics Doubt, guessing and certaintyc2

if you don’t mind me/my saying so…

used when you are going to criticize somebody or say something that might upset them
- That colour doesn't really suit you, if you don't mind my saying so.

I hear what you're saying

used to tell somebody that you have listened to their opinion, especially when you are going to express a different opinion
- I hear what you're saying, but you're wrong.

I’ll say!

(old-fashioned, informal) used for emphasis to say ‘yes’
- ‘Does she see him often?’ ‘I'll say! Nearly every day.’

I’m glad to say (that…)

(informal) used when you are commenting on a situation and saying that you are happy about it
- Most teachers, I'm glad to say, take their jobs very seriously.

I’m sorry to say

used for saying that something is disappointing
- He didn't accept the job, I'm sorry to say.

I must say

(informal) used to emphasize an opinion
- Well, I must say, that's the funniest thing I've heard all week.
Topics Opinion and argumentc1

I say (British English, old-fashioned, informal)

used to express surprise, shock, etc.
- I say! What a huge cake!
used to attract somebody’s attention or introduce a new subject of conversation
- I say, can you lend me five pounds?

it says a lot, very little, etc. for somebody/something

(informal) it shows a good/bad quality that somebody/something has
- It says a lot for her that she never lost her temper.
- It didn't say much for their efficiency that the order arrived a week late.

I wouldn’t say no (to something)

(informal) used to say that you would like something or to accept something that is offered
- I wouldn't say no to a pizza.
- ‘Tea, Brian?’ ‘I wouldn't say no.’

least said soonest mended

(British English, saying) a bad situation will pass or be forgotten most quickly if nothing more is said about it

the less/least said the better

the best thing to do is say as little as possible about something

let's just say

used when commenting on a situation to suggest that you could say something more or worse but prefer not to
- Let's just say he wasn't very happy about the decision (= he was very unhappy or angry about it).

let us say

used when making a suggestion or giving an example
- I can let you have it for, well let's say £100.

mean to say

used to emphasize what you are saying or to ask somebody if they really mean what they say
- I mean to say, you should have known how he would react!
- Do you mean to say you've lost it?

needless to say

used to emphasize that the information you are giving is obvious
- The problem, needless to say, is the cost involved.

never say die

(saying) do not stop hoping

no sooner said than done

used to say that something was, or will be, done immediately

not have a good word to say for somebody/something

(informal) to never say anything good about somebody/something
- Nobody had a good word to say about him.

not say boo to a goose (British English)

(North American English not say boo to anyone)

to be very shy or gentle
- He's so nervous he wouldn't say boo to a goose.

not to say

used to introduce a stronger way of describing something
- a difficult, not to say impossible, task

say cheese

used to ask somebody to smile before you take their photograph

say a mouthful

(North American English, informal) to say something important
- You said a mouthful there, buddy.

say no (to something)

to refuse an offer, a suggestion, etc.
- If you don't invest in this, you're saying no to a potential fortune.

say no more

(informal) used to say that you understand exactly what somebody means or is trying to say, so it is unnecessary to say anything more
- ‘They went to Paris together.’ ‘Say no more!’

say your piece

to say exactly what you feel or think

say what?

(North American English, informal) used to express surprise at what somebody has just said
- ‘He's getting married.’ ‘Say what?’

say when

used to ask somebody to tell you when you should stop pouring a drink or serving food for them because they have enough

say/give the word

to give an order; to make a request
- Just say the word, and I'll go.

suffice (it) to say (that)…

used to suggest that although you could say more, what you do say will be enough to explain what you mean
- I won’t go into all the details. Suffice it to say that the whole event was a complete disaster.

that is to say

in other words
- three days from now, that is to say on Friday
see also i.e.

that said | having said that

used to introduce an opinion that makes what you have just said seem less strongTopics Opinion and argumentc1

that’s not saying much

used to say that something is not very unusual or special
- She's a better player than me, but that's not saying much (= because I am a very bad player).

there’s no saying

used to say that it is impossible to predict what might happen
- There's no saying how he'll react.

there’s something, not much, etc. to be said for something/doing something

there are/are not good reasons for doing something, believing something or agreeing with somethingTopics Opinion and argumentc2

to say the least

without making something seem better, worse, more serious, etc. than it really is
- I was surprised, to say the least.

to say nothing of something

used to introduce a further fact or thing in addition to those already mentioned synonym not to mention
- It was too expensive, to say nothing of the time it wasted.

well said!

(informal) I agree completely
- ‘We must stand up for ourselves.’ ‘Well said, John.’
Topics Opinion and argumentc2

what do/would you say (to something/doing something)

(informal) would you like something/to do something?
- What would you say to eating out tonight?
- Let's go away for a weekend. What do you say?

whatever you say

(informal) used to agree to somebody’s suggestion because you do not want to argueTopics Opinion and argumentc2, Suggestions and advicec2

what/whatever somebody says, goes

(informal, often humorous) a particular person must be obeyed
- Sarah wanted the kitchen painted green, and what she says, goes.

when all is said and done

when everything is considered
- I know you're upset, but when all's said and done it isn't exactly a disaster.

who can say (…)?

used to say that nobody knows the answer to a question
- Who can say what will happen next year?

who says (…)?

(informal) used to disagree with a statement or an opinion
- Who says I can't do it?
Topics Opinion and argumentc2

who’s to say (…)?

used to say that something might happen or might have happened in a particular way, because nobody really knows
- Who's to say we would not have succeeded if we'd had more time?

you can say that again

(informal) I agree with you completely
- ‘He's in a bad mood today.’ ‘You can say that again!’
Topics Opinion and argumentc1

you can’t say fairer (than that)

(British English, informal) used to say that you think the offer you are making is reasonable or generous
- Look, I'll give you £100 for it. You can't say fairer than that.

you don’t say!

(informal, often ironic) used to express surprise
- ‘They left without us.’ ‘You don't say!’ (= I'm not surprised)

you said it! (informal)

(British English) used to agree with somebody when they say something about themselves that you would not have been rude enough to say yourself
- ‘I know I'm not the world's greatest cook.’ ‘You said it!’
Topics Opinion and argumentc2
(North American English) used to agree with somebody’s suggestionTopics Opinion and argumentc2, Suggestions and advicec2