Sayst vs Sayest: Meaning And Differences

Have you ever come across the words sayst and sayest while reading Shakespeare or other works of literature from the Early Modern English era? You may have wondered which of the two is the proper word to use. The answer is that both sayst and sayest are correct, but they are used differently depending on the subject pronoun.

Sayst is the second-person singular present tense of the verb say. It is used when addressing one person informally, such as in the sentence “Thou sayst that thou art innocent.” Sayest, on the other hand, is the same verb form but used with the subject pronoun “you” instead of “thou.” For example, “You sayest that you are innocent.”

This article will explore the history and usage of these two words, as well as provide examples of their use in literature. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of when to use sayst vs sayest.

Define Sayst

Sayst is an archaic second-person singular present tense of the verb ‘say’. It is derived from the Middle English word ‘sayest’, which was commonly used during the Middle Ages. The word ‘sayst’ is a conjugation of the present tense of the verb ‘say’ and is used to address a single person.

For example, in Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, the character Hamlet says, “What do you read, my lord?” to Polonius. Here, ‘sayst’ could be used instead of ‘do you say’ to address Polonius directly.

Define Sayest

Sayest is an archaic second-person singular present tense of the verb ‘say’. It was commonly used during the Middle Ages and is derived from the Old English word ‘secgest’. The word ‘sayest’ is a conjugation of the present tense of the verb ‘say’ and is used to address a single person.

For example, in the Bible, Psalm 3:7 reads, “Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.” Here, ‘sayest’ could be used instead of ‘hast smitten’ to address God directly.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to using archaic words such as sayst and sayest, it is important to understand their proper usage in a sentence. Here is a guide on how to use these words correctly.

How To Use Sayst In A Sentence

The word sayst is a second-person singular form of the verb say, which means to utter words. It is used in formal or poetic writing and is considered an archaic word. Here are some examples of how to use sayst in a sentence:

• “Thou sayst thou art innocent, but I know the truth.”
• “He sayst he will come to the party tonight.”
• “Sayst thou what thou meanest?”

It is important to note that sayst is only used when addressing one person in the present tense. It should not be used in modern conversations or informal writing.

How To Use Sayest In A Sentence

The word sayest is also a second-person singular form of the verb say. It is used in formal or poetic writing and is considered an archaic word. Here are some examples of how to use sayest in a sentence:

• “If thou sayest so, I shall believe thee.”
• “Sayest thou that the sun rises in the east?”
• “Thou sayest that thou hast seen a ghost?”

Like sayst, sayest is only used when addressing one person in the present tense. It should not be used in modern conversations or informal writing.

Overall, the usage of sayst and sayest can add a touch of formality and poetic flair to your writing. However, it is important to use them correctly and sparingly to avoid sounding outdated or pretentious.

More Examples Of Sayst & Sayest Used In Sentences

In this section, we will explore more examples of how the archaic words “sayst” and “sayest” are used in sentences. These words were commonly used in Early Modern English and can be found in works of literature such as Shakespeare’s plays.

Examples Of Using Sayst In A Sentence

• “Thou sayst thou wilt go to the market tomorrow.”
• “He sayst that he loves her more than anything.”
• “Sayst thou that I am a coward?”
• “She sayst that she will not marry him.”
• “Sayst thou that I am a liar?”
• “He sayst that he will be here at noon.”
• “Sayst thou that I am a fool?”
• “She sayst that she is not feeling well.”
• “Sayst thou that I am a thief?”
• “He sayst that he has never seen anything like it before.”

Examples Of Using Sayest In A Sentence

• “Thou sayest that I am a fool, but I know better.”
• “He sayest that he will be back before nightfall.”
• “Sayest thou that I am a liar? I shall prove thee wrong.”
• “She sayest that she loves me, but I am not sure.”
• “Sayest thou that I am a coward? I shall show thee my bravery.”
• “He sayest that he has never tasted anything so delicious.”
• “Sayest thou that I am a thief? I shall bring forth my innocence.”
• “She sayest that she will not come, but I hope she changes her mind.”
• “Sayest thou that I am a traitor? I shall prove my loyalty.”
• “He sayest that he will never forget this moment.”

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using archaic language, it’s easy to mix up similar-sounding words. One common mistake people make is using “sayst” and “sayest” interchangeably. However, these words have distinct meanings and should not be used interchangeably.

Incorrect Usage Of Sayst And Sayest

The word “sayst” is the archaic second-person singular form of the verb “say.” It is used with the pronoun “thou,” which is also archaic. For example, “Thou sayst that thou art innocent” is a correct usage of “sayst.”

On the other hand, “sayest” is also the archaic second-person singular form of the verb “say,” but it is used with the pronoun “you.” For example, “You sayest that you are innocent” is a correct usage of “sayest.”

The mistake people make is using “sayst” with “you” or “sayest” with “thou.” This is grammatically incorrect and can be confusing to readers who are not familiar with archaic language.

Tips To Avoid Mistakes

Here are some tips to avoid making mistakes when using “sayst” and “sayest” in your writing:

• Pay attention to the pronoun you are using. “Sayst” is used with “thou,” and “sayest” is used with “you.”
• If you are unsure about the correct usage, consult a reputable source on archaic language or consult a grammar guide.
• Consider whether using archaic language is appropriate for your writing. While it can add a unique flavor to your writing, it may also be confusing to some readers.

By following these tips, you can avoid common mistakes and use archaic language correctly and effectively in your writing.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between sayst and sayest, context is key. The decision to use one over the other depends on the situation in which they are used. Let’s take a closer look at some examples:

Formal Vs Informal Settings

In formal settings, such as academic or legal writing, sayest is often preferred over sayst. The use of sayest adds a level of formality and sophistication to the language. For example, “Thou sayest the truth” sounds more refined than “Thou sayst the truth”.

On the other hand, in informal settings, such as casual conversations or text messages, sayst is more commonly used. It sounds less formal and more natural. For instance, “What sayst thou?” is a common phrase used in Shakespearean plays and adds a touch of informality to the language.

Historical Context

The choice between sayst and sayest can also depend on the historical context in which they are used. Sayest was commonly used in Old and Middle English, while sayst is a more modern form of the word. Therefore, sayest might be more appropriate in historical contexts, such as when quoting from the King James Bible or other historical documents.

Regional Differences

Regional differences can also play a role in the choice between sayst and sayest. In some parts of England, sayest is still used in everyday language, while in other areas, sayst is the more common form. It’s important to be aware of these regional differences when using these words in conversation or writing.

Table: Examples Of Sayst And Sayest In Different Contexts

Context	Example	Preferred Form
Formal Writing	“Thou _____ the truth”	sayest
Informal Writing	“What _____ thou?”	sayst
Historical Context	“Verily, verily, I _____ unto thee”	sayest
Regional Differences	“How _____ thou?”	sayst or sayest, depending on the region

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using “sayst” and “sayest” are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions to keep in mind.

1. Indirect Speech

When using indirect speech, the rules for “sayst” and “sayest” do not apply. Indirect speech is when you report what someone said without using their exact words. In this case, you would use the present tense form of “say” instead.

For example:

• Direct speech: “Thou sayest that thou art innocent.”
• Indirect speech: “He said that he was innocent.”

2. Poetry And Literature

In poetry and literature, authors may use “sayst” and “sayest” for stylistic effect, even if it is not grammatically correct. This is because these words are associated with a particular time period and can add a sense of authenticity to the writing.

For example, in Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, the character Ophelia says:

“He is dead and gone, lady,
He is dead and gone;
At his head a grass-green turf,
At his heels a stone.”

Here, “sayest” is used instead of “say” to maintain the rhythm and rhyme of the verse.

3. Dialects And Regional Variations

In some dialects and regional variations of English, “sayst” and “sayest” may be used more frequently or in different contexts than in standard English. For example, in some varieties of Appalachian English, “sayest” is used as a second-person singular present tense verb form, rather than “say.”

It’s important to note that these variations are not considered standard English and may not be appropriate in all contexts.

In summary, while the rules for using “sayst” and “sayest” are generally straightforward, there are exceptions to keep in mind. Indirect speech, poetry and literature, and dialects and regional variations may all affect the use of these words in different ways.

Practice Exercises

Now that we have explored the differences between sayst and sayest, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test with some practice exercises. These exercises are designed to help you improve your understanding and use of these archaic verbs in sentences.

Exercise 1

Fill in the blank with either sayst or sayest:

Thou _______ that thou art as fair as summer.

Answer: sayest

Explanation: In this sentence, the subject is “thou,” which is the second person singular pronoun. Therefore, the correct verb form to use is sayest, which is the second person singular form of say.

Exercise 2

Fill in the blank with either sayst or sayest:

He _______ that he will come to the party.

Answer: sayst

Explanation: In this sentence, the subject is “he,” which is the third person singular pronoun. Therefore, the correct verb form to use is sayst, which is the third person singular form of say.

Exercise 3

Fill in the blank with either sayst or sayest:

Do you _______ that you will be able to finish the project on time?

Answer: sayest

Explanation: In this sentence, the subject is “you,” which is the second person singular pronoun. Therefore, the correct verb form to use is sayest, which is the second person singular form of say.

Exercise 4

Fill in the blank with either sayst or sayest:

They _______ that they have already seen the movie.

Answer: say

Explanation: In this sentence, the subject is “they,” which is the third person plural pronoun. Therefore, the correct verb form to use is say, which is the base form of the verb.

Keep practicing with these exercises and you’ll soon become an expert at using sayst and sayest correctly!

Conclusion

In conclusion, the usage of “sayst” vs “sayest” is a topic that has been debated for centuries. While both terms are considered archaic and rarely used in modern English, understanding their differences can provide insight into the evolution of the language.

Key takeaways from this article include:

• “Sayst” and “sayest” are both archaic forms of the verb “say,” with “sayst” being the Middle English form and “sayest” being the Early Modern English form.
• The difference between the two forms lies in their usage with different subjects. “Sayst” is used with second-person singular subjects (thou), while “sayest” is used with second-person plural subjects (ye).
• While both forms are rarely used in modern English, they can still be found in literature, particularly in works from the Middle English and Early Modern English periods.

It is important to continue learning about grammar and language use, as it can provide a deeper understanding of the English language and its evolution over time. By studying archaic forms such as “sayst” and “sayest,” we can gain insight into the history of the language and its development into the modern form we use today.