So to Say vs. So to Speak – Which is Correct?

“So to say” and “so to speak” are both correct expressions, not spelling alternatives. They often mean “in a manner of speaking” and introduce figurative, approximate, or unusual wording. “So to speak” is more common and idiomatic, while “so to say” can sound more formal or literary occasionally.

Although these expressions concern idiomatic phrasing, Speak To vs. “Speak With” addresses a related distinction in conversational usage.

So to Say or So to Speak – Which is Correct?

Both “so to say” and “so to speak” are correct English phrases. They are often interchangeable and usually signal that the speaker is using words figuratively, approximately, or in an unusual way.

“So to speak” is the more common and widely accepted expression in modern English. “So to say” has the same general meaning but is less common and may sound slightly more formal, literary, or old-fashioned depending on the sentence.

Neither phrase is normally used to introduce a literal statement. Instead, each one tells the reader or listener that the wording should not be interpreted completely literally.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

Use the speaking test: if you are describing a metaphor or an unusual way of expressing an idea, imagine adding “in a manner of speaking.” If that replacement works, “so to speak” is usually the safest choice.

For example, “She was the captain of the team, so to speak” means she was not necessarily the official captain, but she acted like one. You can sometimes replace it with “so to say,” but “so to speak” will sound more natural in most everyday contexts.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
so to say	Fixed adverbial phrase	In a manner of speaking; figuratively	He became the family’s adviser, so to say.
so to speak	Fixed adverbial phrase	In a manner of speaking; figuratively	The old library was the heart of the town, so to speak.

How to Use So to Say

“So to say” is an idiomatic phrase used to qualify a statement. It indicates that the preceding description is figurative, approximate, or not entirely literal. It can also soften a broad claim by suggesting that the speaker is choosing words loosely.

The expression is grammatically correct, but it is less frequent than “so to speak.” In casual conversation, professional writing, and most general-interest content, “so to speak” will usually sound more natural. “So to say” may be suitable when a writer wants a more formal or literary tone.

Example 1: After years of experience, she became the office’s unofficial manager, so to say.

Example 2: The new policy closed the door, so to say, on several outdated practices.

Example 3: He was the family historian, so to say, and remembered every important event.

Etymology of the Phrase So to Say

“So to say” comes from the older English construction “so to speak” and related phrases that qualify or soften an expression. The wording reflects the idea of saying something in a particular manner rather than presenting it as a strictly literal statement. Although it remains valid, “so to speak” became the more established modern form.

How to Use So to Speak

“So to speak” is a fixed adverbial phrase meaning “in a manner of speaking” or “figuratively speaking.” It is used when a statement is metaphorical, approximate, exaggerated, or based on an analogy rather than literal fact.

The phrase works in both formal and informal writing, although it can occasionally sound unnecessary if the figurative meaning is already obvious. It is often placed at the end of a sentence, but it can also appear in the middle of a sentence between commas.

Example 1: The coach was the engine of the team, so to speak.

Example 2: By learning another language, she opened a new window on the world, so to speak.

Example 3: He was carrying the entire project on his shoulders, so to speak.

Etymology of the Phrase So to Speak

“So to speak” developed from traditional English expressions used to mark figurative or nonliteral language. The phrase is related to the Latin rhetorical expression ut ita dicam, meaning “so to speak” or “so to say.” It has been established in English for centuries and is now the more familiar of the two alternatives.

Related Concepts

Understanding figurative language and qualifying expressions makes it easier to recognize when these phrases are appropriate.

• Figurative language: Figurative language communicates an idea through a comparison, metaphor, exaggeration, or other nonliteral technique. “So to speak” often signals that the surrounding words should be interpreted figuratively.
• Hedging: Hedging involves softening or limiting a statement. These phrases can indicate that a description is approximate rather than an absolute or technically precise claim.
• Idioms: An idiom is a fixed expression whose overall meaning cannot always be understood by examining each word separately. “So to speak” and “so to say” function as fixed idiomatic phrases.
• Metaphor: A metaphor describes one thing in terms of another. For example, calling a person “the engine of the team” is metaphorical, so “so to speak” can clarify that no literal engine is involved.

Examples from Media and Literature

The phrases appear most naturally when writers or speakers want to signal a metaphor, analogy, or deliberately loose description.

• In a novel: A narrator might describe a trusted friend as “the family’s compass, so to speak,” meaning that the friend provided guidance.
• In a film review: A critic could write that the supporting character “steals the movie, so to speak,” even though no literal theft occurs.
• In a news feature: A journalist might call a community garden “a green lung for the neighborhood, so to speak,” using a metaphor for its environmental benefit.
• In a business article: A commentator may say that a company “has one foot in the past and one in the future, so to speak,” to describe its conflicting strategies.
• In everyday dialogue: A character might say, “I was the unofficial leader, so to speak,” to explain a role that was never formally assigned.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct phrase to complete each sentence. In several examples, both phrases are grammatically possible, but one is more natural in standard modern English.

1. The small café became the heart of the neighborhood, ______.
2. She was the company’s guiding star, ______.
3. He had, ______, built a bridge between the two departments.
4. The two phrases have the same meaning, ______, although one is more common.
5. After the promotion, he became the captain of the office, ______.

Answer Key

1. so to speak — This is the most natural modern choice.
2. so to speak — It introduces the metaphor “guiding star.”
3. so to say — This phrase is grammatically correct and works in a somewhat formal style.
4. so to speak — It is the more common expression.
5. so to speak — The phrase clarifies that he was not literally the office’s captain.

So to Say Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
so to speak	In a manner of speaking; figuratively
figuratively speaking	Using a nonliteral comparison or description
in a manner of speaking	Used to qualify a statement that is not completely literal
as it were	Used to indicate an approximate or figurative description

So to Speak Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
so to say	In a manner of speaking; figuratively
figuratively speaking	Used to introduce a metaphorical meaning
in a manner of speaking	Used when an expression is not strictly literal
as it were	A formal phrase meaning “in a way” or “so to speak”

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is “so to say” grammatically correct?
Yes. “So to say” is a valid English expression meaning “in a manner of speaking.” However, it is less common than “so to speak.”

Question 2: Is “so to speak” more common than “so to say”?
Yes. “So to speak” is the standard and more widely used expression in contemporary English, especially in conversation and professional writing.

Question 3: Can “so to say” and “so to speak” be used interchangeably?
Usually, yes. Both phrases can introduce figurative or approximate wording. “So to speak” is generally the better choice when you want the most familiar and natural expression.

Conclusion

Both “so to say” and “so to speak” are correct, but “so to speak” is more common, idiomatic, and broadly suitable. Use either phrase to show that your words are figurative or approximate. Pro Tip: When writing for a professional audience, choose “so to speak” unless you specifically want the more formal or literary tone of “so to say.”