Said vs Says: Usage Guidelines and Popular Confusions

When it comes to choosing the right word to use in your writing, even the most experienced writers can get tripped up on common words like “said” and “says”. While they may seem interchangeable, there are actually some key differences between the two that can impact the clarity and accuracy of your writing.

So, which one is the proper word to use? The answer is that it depends on the context of your writing. Generally speaking, “said” is used to indicate that someone has spoken in the past tense, while “says” is used to indicate that they are speaking in the present tense.

More specifically, “said” is the past tense of the verb “say”, which means to express words or thoughts verbally. It is often used to report on something that has already been said, such as in a news article or a book. For example, “He said he would be there at 7pm.”

On the other hand, “says” is the present tense of the verb “say”, which means to express words or thoughts verbally in the current moment. It is often used to report on something that is currently being said, such as in a conversation or a speech. For example, “She says she is feeling much better today.”

Understanding the difference between “said” and “says” is important because it can impact the accuracy and clarity of your writing. Using the wrong tense can lead to confusion or misinterpretation, especially in contexts where timing is important. In the rest of this article, we’ll explore some common scenarios where choosing the right word is crucial, and provide some tips for how to use them effectively.

Define Said

Said is the past tense of the verb ‘say’, which means to express something in words. It is a common word used in everyday conversation and writing. When we use ‘said’, we are referring to something that has already been spoken or communicated in the past. For example, “She said that she would be late for the meeting.”

Said is also commonly used in reported speech, where we report what someone else has said. In this context, said is used to indicate that the words being reported were spoken in the past. For example, “He said that he was going to the store.”

Define Says

Says is the present tense of the verb ‘say’, which means to express something in words. When we use ‘says’, we are referring to something that is being spoken or communicated in the present. For example, “She says that she will be late for the meeting.”

Says is also commonly used in direct speech, where we quote someone’s words exactly as they were spoken. In this context, says is used to indicate that the words being quoted are being spoken in the present. For example, “He says, ‘I am going to the store’.”

Comparison between said and says

	Said	Says
Tense	Past	Present
Usage	Referring to something spoken in the past or reported speech	Referring to something being spoken in the present or direct speech

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to writing, choosing the right words can make all the difference. Two words that are often used interchangeably are “said” and “says.” However, they have different functions in a sentence and should be used appropriately to convey the intended meaning. In this section, we will discuss how to use “said” and “says” in a sentence.

How To Use “Said” In A Sentence

The word “said” is the past tense of the verb “say.” It is used to report or recount something that was spoken in the past. Here are some examples:

• “I said that I would be there at 5 pm.”
• “She said that she loved the movie.”
• “He said he was feeling unwell.”

As you can see, “said” is used to indicate that something was spoken in the past. It is often used in writing to convey dialogue between characters. When using “said” in a sentence, it is important to remember that it should be followed by a comma before the spoken words. For example:

• “I said, ‘I would be there at 5 pm.'”
• “She said, ‘I loved the movie.'”
• “He said, ‘I am feeling unwell.'”

Using “said” in this way helps to make it clear that the words are being spoken by a character in the story.

How To Use “Says” In A Sentence

The word “says” is the present tense of the verb “say.” It is used to report or recount something that is being spoken in the present. Here are some examples:

• “She says that she loves the movie.”
• “He says he is feeling unwell.”
• “The teacher says that the test will be difficult.”

As you can see, “says” is used to indicate that something is being spoken in the present. It is often used in writing to convey a character’s thoughts or actions. When using “says” in a sentence, it is important to remember that it should be followed by a comma before the spoken words. For example:

• “She says, ‘I love the movie.'”
• “He says, ‘I am feeling unwell.'”
• “The teacher says, ‘The test will be difficult.'”

Using “says” in this way helps to make it clear that the words are being spoken in the present and can help to create a sense of immediacy in the writing.

More Examples Of Said & Says Used In Sentences

Understanding the proper use of “said” and “says” in sentences can greatly improve your writing. Here are some examples of how to use these words correctly:

Examples Of Using “Said” In A Sentence

• She said that she would be here at 6 pm.
• He said that he was tired of the same routine every day.
• They said that they would never forget the experience.
• The teacher said that the test would be next week.
• The doctor said that the patient needed rest and medication.
• The CEO said that the company was going to expand globally.
• The coach said that the team had to work harder to win the championship.
• The politician said that he would fight for the rights of the people.
• The author said that he had been working on his new book for months.
• The customer said that he was not satisfied with the service.

Examples Of Using “Says” In A Sentence

• She says that she loves to read books.
• He says that he is going to the gym every day.
• They say that it’s going to rain tomorrow.
• The teacher says that the students have to submit their assignments on time.
• The doctor says that the patient is recovering well.
• The CEO says that the company’s profits have increased by 20%.
• The coach says that the team is ready for the upcoming game.
• The politician says that he has a plan to improve the economy.
• The author says that he is inspired by nature.
• The customer says that he wants to speak to the manager.

By using “said” and “says” appropriately in your writing, you can convey your message more effectively and sound more authoritative. Remember to use “said” when referring to something that was said in the past, and “says” when referring to something that is being said in the present.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words “said” and “says,” many people tend to interchange them without realizing that they have different meanings and uses. Here are some common mistakes that people make when using these words:

Using “Said” Instead Of “Says”

One common mistake is using “said” instead of “says” in present tense. For example, “He said that he likes ice cream” should be “He says that he likes ice cream.” This mistake can make the sentence sound awkward and confusing.

Using “Says” Instead Of “Said”

Another mistake is using “says” instead of “said” in past tense. For example, “He says that he went to the store yesterday” should be “He said that he went to the store yesterday.” This mistake can make the sentence sound incorrect and unprofessional.

Using “Said” Or “Says” Incorrectly In Reported Speech

Reported speech is when someone is reporting what someone else has said. For example, “She said that she was tired” or “He says that he is hungry.” One common mistake is using “said” or “says” incorrectly in reported speech. The rule of thumb is to use “said” for past tense and “says” for present tense. For example, “She said that she was tired” and “He says that he is hungry.”

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes

Here are some tips to help you avoid these common mistakes:

• Pay attention to the tense of the sentence and use “said” for past tense and “says” for present tense.
• When in doubt, use “said” for reported speech in past tense and “says” for reported speech in present tense.
• Read your sentences out loud to check for awkward phrasing or incorrect usage of “said” and “says.”

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between “said” and “says,” context is key. The context in which these words are used can greatly affect the choice between them, as they convey different tenses and nuances. Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “said” and “says” might change:

1. Past Vs. Present Tense

The most obvious difference between “said” and “says” is that “said” is in the past tense, while “says” is in the present tense. Therefore, if you are referring to something that was said in the past, you would use “said.” For example:

• “He said he was going to the store.”
• “She said she loved the movie.”

On the other hand, if you are referring to something that is being said in the present, you would use “says.” For example:

• “He says he is going to the store.”
• “She says she loves the movie.”

2. Direct Vs. Indirect Speech

Another factor to consider is whether the speech is direct or indirect. Direct speech is when a person’s exact words are being quoted, while indirect speech is when the words are paraphrased. When using direct speech, “said” is generally used, while “says” is used for indirect speech. For example:

• Direct speech: “I love ice cream,” she said.
• Indirect speech: She says she loves ice cream.

3. Formal Vs. Informal Settings

The choice between “said” and “says” can also depend on the setting in which the words are being spoken. In more formal settings, such as academic or professional contexts, “said” is often preferred. In more informal settings, such as casual conversations or social media, “says” may be more appropriate. For example:

• Formal: The speaker said that the study had significant limitations.
• Informal: My friend says that the new restaurant in town is amazing.

Overall, the choice between “said” and “says” depends on a variety of factors, including tense, direct vs. indirect speech, and formality. By considering the context in which these words are being used, you can ensure that your writing is clear and effective.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using “said” and “says” are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions where they might not apply. Here are some of the most common exceptions:

1. Reported Speech

When we report what someone else has said, we often need to change the tense of the verb. In this case, we use “said” regardless of whether the original speaker used “said” or “says.” For example:

• Direct speech: “I am going to the store,” says John.
• Reported speech: John said that he was going to the store.

In the above example, we use “said” in the reported speech even though John used “says” in the direct speech.

2. Quotations

When we use a direct quotation, we use the exact words that someone else said or wrote. In this case, we use the verb tense that the original speaker or writer used. For example:

• Direct quotation: “I am going to the store,” says John.
• Indirect quotation: John says that he is going to the store.

In the above example, we use “says” in the indirect quotation because that is the verb tense that John used in the direct quotation.

3. Narratives

In narratives, we often use “said” as a dialogue tag to indicate who is speaking. However, in some cases, we might use “says” instead to create a more immediate sense of action. For example:

• “I don’t know,” said Mary.
• “I don’t know,” says Mary, looking at her watch.

In the second example, we use “says” to create a sense of immediacy and action, even though “said” would also be grammatically correct.

Practice Exercises

Now that we have discussed the differences between “said” and “says,” it’s time to put this knowledge into practice. Below are some exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these two words in sentences.

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word, “said” or “says,” to complete the following sentences:

1. She _____ that the meeting would start at 2 PM.
2. He _____ he was going to the store.
3. They _____ that the concert was canceled.
4. The teacher _____ that the test would be on Friday.

Answer Key:

1. said
2. said
3. said
4. said

Exercise 2: Rewrite The Sentence

Rewrite the following sentences, replacing “said” with “says” or vice versa:

1. She said that she was tired.
2. He says he will be home by 6 PM.
3. They said that they would be late.
4. The teacher says that the homework is due tomorrow.

Answer Key:

1. She says that she is tired.
2. He said he would be home by 6 PM.
3. They say they will be late.
4. The teacher said the homework is due tomorrow.

By practicing these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of “said” and “says” in sentences. Remember to pay attention to the tense of the sentence and the subject-verb agreement when choosing between these two words.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the use of “said” and “says” may seem like a small detail in writing, but it can have a big impact on the overall tone and clarity of a piece. By understanding the differences between these two words and when to use them appropriately, writers can improve the effectiveness of their communication.

Here are some key takeaways to keep in mind:

Use “Said” For Past Tense

When referring to something that was spoken in the past, such as in a quote or dialogue, “said” is the appropriate choice. This helps to establish the timeline of events and avoid confusion for the reader.

Use “Says” For Present Tense

When referring to something that is currently being spoken or written, “says” is the appropriate choice. This helps to convey a sense of immediacy and relevance for the reader.

Consider The Tone And Context

While “said” and “says” may technically be interchangeable in some cases, it’s important to consider the tone and context of a piece when making this decision. Using the wrong word can create unintended connotations or confuse the reader.

Overall, the key to effective writing is paying attention to the details. By continuing to learn about grammar and language use, writers can improve their skills and create more impactful content.