says
A1 (extremely high frequency)Neutral; used in all registers from formal to highly informal.
Definition
Meaning
Third-person singular present tense of the verb 'say': to speak words, to express something in words.
Can indicate reporting speech or opinion, stating a fact or belief, or suggesting a common or proverbial expression. In phrases like 'that is to say', it serves to clarify or rephrase.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used to introduce indirect or reported speech. In spoken English, "says I" is a rare, archaic, or deliberately folksy inversion for "I say". The form 'says' is irregular in pronunciation compared to its spelling.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic difference. Potential minor differences in frequency of certain collocations (e.g., 'says here' might be slightly more informal in BrE).
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Says + (that)-clauseSays + 'to'-infinitive (with 'is said to')Says + direct/indirect object + (that)-clauseSays + soSays + quote/adageVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “That's what she says.”
- “Says you!”
- “It goes without saying.”
- “Easier said than done.”
- “Needless to say.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in reports and meetings: 'The CEO says our targets are achievable.'
Academic
Used to cite sources or theories: 'The study says there is a correlation.'
Everyday
Ubiquitous for reporting speech: 'Mum says dinner is ready.'
Technical
Used to reference documentation: 'The manual says to disconnect power first.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The weather forecast says it will rain all weekend.
- The sign says 'Mind the gap'.
- My mate says the new pub is brilliant.
American English
- The manual says to reboot the system.
- The label says 'Made in the USA'.
- My friend says the new bar is awesome.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He says 'hello'.
- My teacher says my English is good.
- The book says it is old.
- She says that she will be late.
- The article says pollution is a big problem.
- What does the instruction manual say?
- The data says otherwise, contradicting our initial hypothesis.
- He never says what he truly feels.
- As the proverb says, 'Better late than never'.
- The statute clearly says that such actions are permissible under exceptional circumstances.
- Her tone says more than her words ever could, implying deep resentment.
- Critics say the policy is fundamentally flawed, a view the minister robustly rejected.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the word 'SEZ' as in 'He sez (says) what?' It rhymes with 'fez' and 'pez', but is spelled like 'say' with an S.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS TRANSFER (He says the news → He gives the news). VERBAL EXPRESSION IS A PATH (as in 'a way of saying').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating Russian verb aspects; 'says' is a simple present fact, not an ongoing process like 'говорит' sometimes implies.
- Do not confuse with 'tells' ('говорит кому-то'); 'says' is more general.
Common Mistakes
- Pronouncing it /seɪz/ (like 'plays') instead of /sɛz/.
- Incorrect subject-verb agreement: 'He say...'
- Overusing 'says' in formal writing where 'states', 'reports', or 'indicates' might be better.
Practice
Quiz
What is the standard pronunciation of 'says'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It's an irregular pronunciation. Historically, high-frequency words often undergo sound reductions. The vowel shortened from /eɪ/ to /ɛ/ in this common form.
Almost never in standard modern English. The archaic or dialectal 'says I' (e.g., 'That's rubbish,' says I) is non-standard. Use 'I say'.
'Says' focuses on the words spoken. 'Tells' usually requires a listener (an object): 'He tells me the news' vs. 'He says the news'.
Use it with a 'that'-clause (the word 'that' is often omitted): 'She says (that) she is tired.' The tense in the clause usually remains present if 'says' is present.