What You Say vs. What Do You Say – Which is Correct?
“What do you say?” is the correct standalone question when you ask for someone’s opinion, response, or proposal. “What you say” is also correct, but it functions as an embedded clause or noun phrase, usually inside a longer sentence. Choose based on sentence structure, not pronunciation or spelling, in context.
What You Say or What Do You Say – Which is Correct?
Both “what you say” and “what do you say?” are correct English expressions, but they serve different grammatical purposes.
“What do you say?” is a direct question. It asks someone for an opinion, reaction, answer, or decision. It can also be used as a casual suggestion, as in “What do you say we order pizza?”
“What you say” is not normally a complete question by itself. It is an embedded clause that refers to a person’s words or opinion. For example, “I believe what you say” means “I believe your statements.”
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the question-word order test. If you are speaking directly to someone and asking for an answer, use the inverted form: “What do you say?” If the phrase appears inside a larger sentence and means “the things that you say,” use “what you say.”
Remember: do + you + say creates a direct question, while you + say fits inside a statement.
| Word or Phrase | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| what you say | Embedded clause | The words, opinions, or claims that you express | I trust what you say. |
| what do you say? | Direct question | A request for someone’s opinion, response, or agreement | What do you say? Shall we begin? |
How to Use What You Say
“What you say” functions as an embedded clause, sometimes called a noun clause. The entire phrase can act as the object of a verb, the subject of a sentence, or the object of a preposition. It refers to someone’s spoken words, opinions, promises, or claims.
This expression is common in both formal and casual English. It often appears after verbs such as believe, remember, understand, consider, and appreciate.
Example 1: I believe what you say.
Example 2: What you say matters to the entire team.
Example 3: We need to examine what you say before making a decision.
Etymology of the Phrase What You Say
The phrase combines the pronoun what, meaning “the thing or things that,” with the pronoun you and the verb say. What comes from Old English hwæt, while say developed from Old English secgan. Together, the words form an embedded clause referring to a person’s expressed words or ideas.
How to Use What Do You Say?
“What do you say?” is a direct question that asks another person to respond. Depending on the context, it may request an opinion, ask for agreement, invite a decision, or seek a reaction.
In everyday conversation, the phrase can sound friendly and informal. It is also frequently used in proposals such as “What do you say we take a break?” In that pattern, the speaker is suggesting an action and asking whether the listener agrees.
Example 1: What do you say about the new schedule?
Example 2: What do you say we meet at six?
Example 3: What do you say to giving the project another chance?
Etymology of the Phrase What Do You Say?
This phrase uses the standard English structure for a present-tense question: the auxiliary verb do comes before the subject you, followed by the base verb say. The question pattern developed as English increasingly used auxiliary verbs to form questions. The verb say comes from Old English secgan.
Related Concepts
Understanding direct questions and embedded clauses makes it easier to choose between these two similar expressions.
- Direct questions: A direct question addresses someone directly and usually uses auxiliary-subject inversion, as in “What do you say?”
- Embedded clauses: An embedded clause appears inside a larger sentence and follows statement word order, as in “I understand what you say.”
- Subject-auxiliary inversion: English questions often place an auxiliary verb before the subject. That is why “what do you say?” is correct, rather than “what you do say?” in an ordinary question.
- Indirect questions: Indirect questions retain statement word order. For example, “I wonder what you say” does not use the inverted form “what do you say” inside the sentence.
Examples from Media and Literature
These expressions appear frequently in dialogue, narration, journalism, and persuasive writing. The examples below show their typical uses in context:
- In a film conversation: A character may ask, “What do you say?” when inviting another character to accept a risky plan.
- In a novel: A narrator might write, “I could not forget what you say,” using the phrase to refer to another person’s words.
- In a news interview: A reporter may ask, “What do you say to critics who oppose the proposal?” This requests a direct response.
- In a workplace discussion: A manager might say, “What do you say we postpone the meeting?” This is a polite suggestion.
- In an essay or speech: A writer may state, “What you say reveals your priorities,” using the embedded clause as the sentence subject.
What You Say Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| your words | The statements or language you express |
| your statements | The claims or comments you make |
| your opinion | Your personal view or judgment |
| your remarks | Your spoken or written comments |
What Do You Say? Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| What do you think? | A request for someone’s opinion |
| What is your opinion? | A more formal request for a viewpoint |
| Do you agree? | A question asking whether someone shares your position |
| How does that sound? | A question asking for a reaction to a suggestion |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “what you say” grammatically correct?
Yes. “What you say” is grammatically correct when it appears as part of a larger sentence, such as “I respect what you say” or “What you say is important.”
Question 2: Is “what do you say?” a complete sentence?
Yes. “What do you say?” is a complete direct question. It asks for an opinion, reaction, response, or agreement and normally ends with a question mark.
Question 3: Can I say “what do you say we go”?
Yes. “What do you say we go?” is a conversational way to suggest an action and ask whether someone agrees. A more formal alternative is “Would you like to go?”
Conclusion
Both “what you say” and “what do you say?” are correct, but they are not interchangeable. Use “what do you say?” as a direct question, and use “what you say” inside a larger statement about someone’s words or opinion. Pro Tip: Using the correct word order in professional emails, reports, and conversations improves clarity and strengthens your credibility.
