Says vs. Sais – Which is Correct?
The correct English spelling is says, the third-person singular present form of say. Sais is generally a misspelling caused by the way says sounds. Use says in sentences such as “She says hello.” Remember: although says looks unusual, it is standard English in both formal writing and everyday conversation too.
Says or Sais – Which Is Correct?
Says is the correct English spelling. It is the third-person singular present-tense form of the verb say: “He says,” “she says,” or “the report says.” Sais is not the standard spelling of this English verb and should be treated as a misspelling.
The confusion usually comes from pronunciation. Says is pronounced like “sez,” not like “says” with a long vowel sound. Because its spelling does not match its pronunciation closely, writers sometimes incorrectly spell it as sais.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Remember the phrase “He says it”: the correct spelling contains ays, even though the word sounds like “sez.” You can also use the swap test: replace says with said. If the sentence describes someone speaking, the present-tense form is says, never sais.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| says | Verb | Speaks, states, or communicates in the present tense | She says the meeting starts at nine. |
| sais | Incorrect English spelling | Not the standard spelling of the verb say | Write “He says,” not “He sais.” |
How to Use Says
Says is used when the subject is singular and in the third person, such as he, she, it, or a singular noun. It can introduce spoken words, written statements, opinions, instructions, evidence, or information. The word is suitable for casual conversation, academic writing, journalism, business communication, and formal reports.
It may refer to words spoken aloud or to information presented in a text, sign, label, website, or other source. For example, a person says something, while a notice says what visitors should do.
Example 1: Maria says she will arrive after lunch.
Example 2: The sign says that parking is prohibited.
Example 3: The researcher says the results require further study.
What Are the Different Forms of Says?
Says is one form of the irregular verb say. The base form is say, used with I, you, we, and they. The third-person singular present form is says. The simple past and past participle are said, while the present participle and gerund are saying.
- Base form: say — “They say it is safe.”
- Third-person singular present: says — “He says it is safe.”
- Past tense: said — “He said it was safe.”
- Present participle: saying — “He is saying it is safe.”
The word says is usually pronounced like “sez,” while said is pronounced like “sed.” These unusual pronunciations are common sources of spelling errors.
Etymology of the Word Says
Says comes from the Old English verb secgan, meaning “to say” or “to tell.” Over time, the verb developed into Middle English seien and eventually modern English say. The spelling says preserves historical elements of the word even though its pronunciation changed.
Related Concepts
Understanding verb forms and pronunciation patterns makes it easier to use says correctly and avoid the misspelling sais.
- Irregular verbs: An irregular verb does not form every tense by simply adding -ed. The verb say changes to said in the past tense.
- Subject–verb agreement: Singular third-person subjects generally take says, while plural subjects use say. For example, “She says” is correct, but “They say” is correct.
- Pronunciation and spelling: English spelling does not always directly reflect pronunciation. The pronunciation of says as “sez” is one reason people may incorrectly write sais.
- Direct and reported speech: Says can introduce exact words or a reported statement, as in “He says, ‘I am ready’” and “He says that he is ready.”
Examples from Media and Literature
The correct form says appears in dialogue, narration, journalism, captions, and descriptions of written information.
- Novels: A character may say, “I’ll be there,” while the surrounding narration reports that the character says they are ready.
- Film subtitles: A subtitle or screenplay description may use says to identify a character’s present statement, such as “The detective says the case is not closed.”
- News writing: Reports commonly use the form in sentences such as “The spokesperson says the policy will take effect Monday.”
- Signs and labels: A reader might explain, “The ticket says the doors open at seven.”
- Everyday conversation: Someone may report another person’s opinion by saying, “My brother says this restaurant is excellent.”
Says Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| states | Expresses an idea or fact clearly, often in a formal context |
| mentions | Refers to something briefly |
| explains | Makes an idea or situation clear |
| reports | Communicates information, often formally or publicly |
| remarks | Makes a spoken or written observation |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “sais” a correct English word?
No. Sais is generally a misspelling when someone intends to write the English verb form says. The correct sentence is “She says hello.”
Question 2: Why is “says” pronounced like “sez”?
The pronunciation developed through historical changes in English. Although the spelling contains ay, the standard pronunciation is similar to “sez.”
Question 3: What is the difference between “say” and “says”?
Say is the base form used with subjects such as I, you, we, and they. Says is the third-person singular present form used with he, she, it, or a singular noun.
Conclusion
Says is the correct English spelling, while sais is a misspelling. Use says with a singular third-person subject: “He says,” “she says,” or “the article says.” Pro Tip: Checking this small spelling detail helps protect your credibility and professional reputation in emails, reports, applications, and published writing.
