What They Said vs. What They Say – Which is Correct?
When choosing between “what they said” and “what they say,” consider time. Use “what they said” for words spoken in the past, and “what they say” for statements made habitually, currently, or generally. Both phrases are correct; the surrounding context determines which verb tense accurately communicates the intended meaning clearly.
What They Said or What They Say – Which is Correct?
“What they said” and “what they say” are both correct English phrases. The difference is grammatical tense and meaning. “What they said” refers to a completed statement or conversation in the past. “What they say” refers to something they are saying now, say repeatedly, or are generally known to say.
The phrase can appear as a noun clause within a larger sentence. For example, in “I remember what they said,” the speaker is referring to a specific past statement. In “I agree with what they say,” the phrase describes a current or general opinion.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the time test: ask whether the words belong to a finished moment or to the present and general pattern. If the statement happened at a specific earlier time, choose said. If the statement is current, repeated, or generally true, choose say.
A useful substitution test is to replace the phrase with “their past statement” or “their current opinion.” “What they said” matches “their past statement,” while “what they say” matches “their current opinion.”
| Word or Phrase | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| What they said | Noun clause with past-tense verb | A statement they made previously | I cannot forget what they said. |
| What they say | Noun clause with present-tense verb | A current, repeated, or general statement | I understand what they say about the issue. |
How to Use “What They Said”
Use “what they said” when referring to words, opinions, instructions, or claims expressed in the past. The phrase commonly appears after verbs such as remember, repeat, explain, understand, hear, and forget.
This phrase can refer to a specific conversation or to a past statement whose exact time is understood from context. It is suitable in casual, professional, academic, and formal writing.
Example 1: I wrote down what they said during the meeting.
Example 2: She was surprised by what they said about the new policy.
Example 3: We followed what they said and submitted the forms before noon.
Etymology of “What They Said”
The phrase combines the pronoun what, the third-person plural pronoun they, and said, the irregular past-tense and past-participle form of say. Say comes from Old English secgan, meaning “to tell” or “to utter.” The form said developed through historical sound changes and retains an irregular pronunciation: said is pronounced like “sed.”
How to Use “What They Say”
Use “what they say” for words or opinions expressed in the present, statements repeated over time, or beliefs generally associated with a group. It can describe an ongoing conversation, a recurring claim, or a piece of commonly reported advice.
In formal writing, “what they say” may introduce an opposing view or summarize a source’s position. It can also express a speaker’s continuing trust in another person’s advice.
Example 1: I usually listen to what they say because they have extensive experience.
Example 2: The researchers disagree with what they say about the results.
Example 3: What they say about customer service is reflected in the company’s reviews.
Etymology of “What They Say”
This phrase uses the present-tense form say, which descends from Old English secgan. In modern English, say is used for communicating words, opinions, or information. The phrase’s meaning comes from the combination of this present-tense verb with what and they, creating a clause that functions as a noun.
Related Concepts
Understanding reported speech and verb tense makes it easier to choose between these two phrases.
- Verb tense: Verb tense indicates when an action or statement occurs. Said is past tense, while say is present tense.
- Reported speech: Reported speech conveys another person’s words without necessarily quoting them directly. For example, “She explained what they said” reports an earlier statement.
- Noun clause: A noun clause is a group of words that functions as a noun. In “I understand what they say,” the entire phrase “what they say” acts as the object of understand.
- Subject-verb agreement: With the subject they, the present-tense verb is say, not says. The correct forms are “what they say” and “what she says.”
Examples from Media and Literature
Writers and speakers use both phrases to distinguish past statements from continuing opinions or claims.
- Historical reporting: A news article may state, “Witnesses described what they said during the investigation,” referring to a completed interview.
- Political commentary: A commentator might write, “Voters are evaluating what they say about the economy,” referring to politicians’ current or repeated positions.
- Literary narration: A narrator may say, “I could not believe what they said,” to emphasize the emotional effect of a past conversation.
- Film dialogue: A character might declare, “I do not care what they say,” showing that the other people’s current opinions do not matter.
- Traditional advice: The sentence “You should consider what they say” presents advice that remains relevant in the present.
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct phrase to complete each sentence: what they said or what they say.
- I still remember ______ after the accident.
- It is wise to consider ______ before making a decision.
- The manager reviewed ______ during yesterday’s interview.
- Some people refuse to believe ______ about the proposed changes.
- We followed ______ in the email and completed the process.
Answer Key
- what they said — The sentence refers to a past event.
- what they say — The sentence describes current or general advice.
- what they said — The interview took place yesterday.
- what they say — The phrase refers to a current or continuing claim.
- what they said — The email contained instructions already written in the past.
“What They Said” Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Their earlier statement | Words or information they expressed previously |
| Their remarks | Comments they made in an earlier conversation |
| Their account | Their description of an event or situation |
| Their explanation | Information they previously provided to clarify something |
“What They Say” Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Their current statement | Words they are expressing now |
| Their opinion | The belief or view they currently hold |
| Their position | Their stated view on an issue, especially in a formal context |
| Their claim | Something they assert or maintain, whether verified or not |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “what they said” grammatically correct?
Yes. “What they said” is correct when referring to something they expressed in the past, whether in a specific conversation or an earlier written statement.
Question 2: Is “what they say” grammatically correct?
Yes. “What they say” is correct for current, repeated, habitual, or generally attributed statements. It often refers to an opinion or claim that remains relevant.
Question 3: Can “what they say” refer to the past?
It can refer to past statements when those statements are repeated or still regarded as current. For a single completed statement at a definite past time, however, “what they said” is usually the clearer choice.
Question 4: Should I write “what they says”?
No. With the plural subject they, use say: “what they say.” The form says follows singular subjects such as he, she, or the organization.
Conclusion
Both “what they said” and “what they say” are correct. Choose “what they said” for a completed past statement, and choose “what they say” for a current, repeated, or generally held statement. Pro Tip: Precise tense choices strengthen your credibility and help your professional writing sound polished and trustworthy.
