/ seɪ; NAmE / verb , noun , exclamation
■ verb
( says / sez; NAmE / said , said / sed; NAmE /)
SPEAK
1.
say sth (to sb) to speak or tell sb sth, using words :
[ v speech ]
'Hello!' she said.
'That was marvellous,' said Daniel.
HELP NOTE : In stories the subject often comes after said , says or say when it follows the actual words spoken, unless it is a pronoun.
[ vn ]
Be quiet, I have something to say.
She said nothing to me about it.
He knew that if he wasn't back by midnight, his parents would have something to say about it (= be angry) .
That's a terrible thing to say .
I didn't believe a word she said.
[ v ( that )]
He said (that) his name was Sam.
[ vn that ]
It is said that she lived to be over 100.
[ v wh- ]
She finds it hard to say what she feels.
[ v ]
I said to myself (= thought) , 'That can't be right!'
'That's impossible!' ' So you say (= but I think you may be wrong) .'
'Why can't I go out now?' 'Because I say so .'
'What do you want it for?' ' I'd rather not say .'
[ v to inf ]
He said to meet him here.
[ vn to inf ]
He is said to have been a brilliant scholar.
HELP NOTE : This pattern is only used in the passive.
REPEAT WORDS
2.
[ vn ] to repeat words, phrases, etc. :
to say a prayer
Try to say that line with more conviction.
EXPRESS OPINION
3.
to express an opinion on sth :
[ vn ]
Say what you like (= although you disagree) about her, she's a fine singer.
I'll say this for them , they're a very efficient company.
Anna thinks I'm lazy— what do you say (= what is your opinion) ?
[ v ( that )]
I can't say I blame her for resigning (= I think she was right) .
I say (= suggest) we go without them.
I wouldn't say they were rich (= in my opinion they are not rich) .
That's not to say it's a bad movie (= it is good but it is not without faults) .
[ v wh- ]
It's hard to say what caused the accident.
[ v ]
'When will it be finished?' ' I couldn't say (= I don't know) .'
GIVE EXAMPLE
4.
[ no passive ] to suggest or give sth as an example or a possibility :
[ vn ]
You could learn the basics in, let's say , three months.
Let's take any writer, say (= for example) Dickens ...
[ v ( that )]
Say you lose your job: what would you do then?
SHOW THOUGHTS / FEELINGS
5.
[ vn ] say sth (to sb) to make thoughts, feelings, etc. clear to sb by using words, looks, movements, etc. :
His angry glance said it all .
That says it all really, doesn't it? (= it shows clearly what is true)
Just what is the artist trying to say in her work?
GIVE WRITTEN INFORMATION
6.
[ no passive ] ( of sth that is written or can be seen ) to give particular information or instructions :
[ v speech ]
The notice said 'Keep Out'.
[ vn ]
The clock said three o'clock.
[ v ( that )]
The instructions say (that) we should leave it to set for four hours.
[ v wh- ]
The book doesn't say where he was born.
[ v to inf ]
The guidebook says to turn left.
•
IDIOMS
- before you can say Jack Robinson
- go without saying
- have something, nothing, etc. to say for yourself
- having said that
- I'll say!
- I must say
- I say
- it says a lot, very little, etc. for sb/sth
- I wouldn't say no (to sth)
- least said soonest mended
- the less / least said the better
- never say die
- not say boo to a goose
- not to say
- say cheese
- say no (to sth)
- say no more
- say your piece
- say what?
- say when
- that is to say
- that's not saying much
- that said
- there's no saying
- there's something, not much, etc. to be said for sth / doing sth
- to say the least
- to say nothing of sth
- well said!
- what do / would you say (to sth / doing sth)
- what / whatever sb says, goes
- whatever you say
- when all is said and done
- who can say ( ... )?
- who says ( ... )?
- who's to say ( ... )?
- you can say that again
- you can't say fairer (than that)
- you don't say!
- you said it!
—more at dare verb , easy adjective , enough pronoun , glad , let verb , mean verb , mind verb , needless , record noun , soon , sorry adjective , suffice , word noun
■ noun
[ sing. , U ] say (in sth) the right to influence sth by giving your opinion before a decision is made :
We had no say in the decision to sell the company.
People want a greater say in local government.
The judge has the final say on the sentence.
•
IDIOMS
- have your say
—see also say your piece
■ exclamation ( NAmE , informal )
1.
used for showing surprise or pleasure :
Say, that's a nice haircut!
2.
used for attracting sb's attention or for making a suggestion or comment :
Say, how about going to a movie tonight?
••
BRITISH / AMERICAN
say / tell
Say never has a person as the object. You say something or say something to somebody. Say is often used when you are giving somebody's exact words:
'Sit down', she said.
•
Anne said, 'I'm tired.'
•
Anne said (that) she was tired.
•
What did he say to you?
You cannot use 'say about', but say something about is correct:
I want to say something /a few words /a little about my family.
Say can also be used with a clause when the person you are talking to is not mentioned:
She didn't say what she intended to do.
Tell usually has a person as the object and often has two objects:
Have you told him the news yet?
It is often used with 'that' clauses:
Anne told me (that) she was tired.
Tell is usually used when somebody is giving facts or information, often with what , where , etc.:
Can you tell me when the movie starts?
(BUT:
Can you give me some information about the school?
) Tell is also used when you are giving somebody instructions:
The doctor told me to stay in bed.
•
The doctor told me (that) I had to stay in bed.
OR
The doctor said (that) I had to stay in bed.
NOT The doctor said me to stay in bed.
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English secgan , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zeggen and German sagen .