Explanation at your level:
Use says when you talk about one person. For example, 'She says hello.' It is a very important word for talking about people and what they tell you every day.
You use says to report what someone is telling you. If your friend tells you a secret, you can say, 'He says he likes ice cream.' It is also used for books or signs: 'The book says to read page ten.'
At this level, you will use says to report speech in various contexts. It is a neutral verb that works well in both school and work settings. You can use it to summarize information or pass on messages from others to your colleagues or family members.
Says is essential for indirect speech. You will use it to convey information accurately without needing to quote someone word-for-word. It is also common in academic writing to cite sources, such as 'The research says that sleep is vital for health.'
In advanced English, says functions as a reliable anchor for reported discourse. While synonyms like asserts or claims exist, says remains the most direct way to attribute information. It is frequently used in journalistic and analytical writing to maintain objectivity, as it does not imply the speaker's intent as strongly as other verbs might.
At the mastery level, says is understood as a fundamental linguistic marker. It is used to navigate complex reported speech structures and is often the verb of choice when the speaker wishes to remain neutral or emphasize the content of the message over the delivery. Its historical longevity and ubiquity make it a cornerstone of English communication, appearing in everything from casual conversation to high-level philosophical discourse.
30초 단어
- Used for third-person singular present tense.
- Pronounced like 'sez'.
- Used to report speech or information.
- Very common in all contexts.
Think of says as your go-to word for sharing information. Whenever a friend, a book, or a sign communicates something, you use this verb to report it.
It is the third-person singular form of the verb 'to say'. That means you use it when talking about he, she, it, or a single person like John or the teacher.
It is incredibly versatile! You can use it to talk about what someone is currently speaking, or what a document states permanently. It is the foundation of storytelling and news reporting.
The word says comes from the Old English word secgan, which meant 'to tell' or 'to speak'. Over centuries, it evolved through Middle English as seith or sayth before settling into the modern spelling we use today.
Interestingly, while the spelling looks like it should rhyme with 'pays', the pronunciation shifted over time to a short 'e' sound. This is a classic example of how English pronunciation often drifts away from its written roots as people speak faster in daily life.
It shares roots with the German word sagen, which also means 'to say'. It has been a core part of the language for over a thousand years, proving that humans have always needed a simple way to report what others are telling them.
You will use says in almost every conversation. It is neutral, meaning it works in both casual chats and formal reports. You might say, 'She says she is tired,' or 'The manual says to turn it off.'
Common collocations include 'the report says', 'my mom says', and 'the sign says'. It is rarely used in high-intensity emotional contexts where words like exclaims or whispers might be better.
Remember that it is strictly for the present tense. If you are talking about something that happened yesterday, you must switch to the past tense, said. Keeping this distinction clear will make your English sound much more natural.
1. What do you say? Used to ask for someone's opinion or to make a suggestion (e.g., 'What do you say we go for pizza?').
2. Easy for you to say. Used when someone gives advice that is hard for you to follow (e.g., 'You tell me to relax, but that's easy for you to say!').
3. To say the least. Used to emphasize that the reality is more extreme than the words used (e.g., 'It was a difficult day, to say the least').
4. Needless to say. Used to introduce something that is obvious (e.g., 'Needless to say, he was happy about the news').
5. You can say that again. A way of agreeing strongly with someone (e.g., 'It is freezing out there!' 'You can say that again!').
Grammatically, says is the third-person singular present form. It is irregular because the vowel sound changes from the base form 'say' (long 'a') to 'says' (short 'e').
In British and American English, the pronunciation is standard: /sɛz/. It rhymes with 'fuzz' or 'buzz' in some dialects, but most commonly it sounds like the word 'sez'.
Stress is always on the single syllable. When using it in a sentence, ensure your subject matches. You would say 'He says,' but never 'They says.' That is a common error that learners should watch out for as they practice their verb conjugations.
Fun Fact
The pronunciation changed while the spelling stayed the same.
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'e' sound.
Short 'e' sound.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it like 'pays'.
- Adding an extra syllable.
- Confusing with 'said'.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Very easy.
Very easy.
Very easy.
Very easy.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
고급
Grammar to Know
Third Person Singular
He walks, she says.
Reported Speech
He says he is happy.
Present Simple
I say, he says.
Examples by Level
She says hello.
She (person) speaks (greeting).
Third person singular.
He says yes.
He agrees.
Simple present.
The sign says stop.
The sign gives an order.
Object is a sign.
My mom says no.
My mother refuses.
Subject is 'My mom'.
It says ten.
The number is ten.
Subject is 'It'.
She says goodbye.
She is leaving.
Reporting speech.
He says hi.
He greets.
Informal.
The note says run.
The text tells to run.
Inanimate subject.
She says that she is hungry.
The teacher says we have homework.
My brother says the movie is good.
The email says the meeting is at five.
He says he will be late today.
The book says this city is old.
She says she likes the blue car.
The radio says it will rain later.
The article says that climate change is a serious issue.
He says he has already finished the project.
The instructions say to mix the flour and water slowly.
She says she would prefer to stay home tonight.
My boss says that we need to improve our sales.
The report says the company is doing well.
He says he doesn't know where the keys are.
The doctor says I should rest for a few days.
The evidence says otherwise, despite what he claims.
She says that, all things considered, it was a fair deal.
The constitution says that every citizen has rights.
He says he is not responsible for the error.
The data says the trend is likely to continue.
She says she can't make it, to say the least.
Needless to say, the team was disappointed with the result.
The expert says that this method is highly effective.
The text says much about the author's hidden motivations.
He says that the policy is fundamentally flawed.
The study says that there is a correlation between the two.
She says that the situation is untenable in the long run.
The law says that ignorance is no excuse for a crime.
He says he is merely an observer in this process.
The report says that the outcome remains uncertain.
She says that the decision was made after careful thought.
The ancient manuscript says that the city was built on ruins.
He says that the existential nature of the problem is clear.
The philosopher says that truth is often subjective.
She says that the nuances of the argument are often lost.
The document says that the agreement is legally binding.
He says that the complexities of the issue are profound.
The history book says that the war changed everything.
She says that the irony of the situation is quite striking.
자주 쓰는 조합
Idioms & Expressions
"what do you say?"
A suggestion or request for opinion.
What do you say we go out?
casual"easy for you to say"
Advice that is hard for the listener.
Easy for you to say, you have money!
casual"to say the least"
Emphasizing an understatement.
It was messy, to say the least.
neutral"needless to say"
Something is obvious.
Needless to say, he was late.
neutral"you can say that again"
Strong agreement.
It's hot! You can say that again.
casual"have a say"
To have influence or input.
I want to have a say in this.
neutralEasily Confused
Past tense form.
Time reference.
He says now, he said then.
Both report speech.
Tells requires an object (tells me).
He tells me vs He says.
Both relate to talking.
Speaks is about the act of talking.
He speaks loudly.
Both report facts.
States is more formal.
The law states vs The sign says.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + says + that + clause
He says that he is ready.
Subject + says + [direct speech]
She says, 'Hello!'
Subject + says + to + someone
He says to me, 'Go'.
It + says + [information]
It says here it is closed.
Subject + says + nothing
He says nothing.
어휘 가족
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
관련
How to Use It
10
Formality Scale
자주 하는 실수
Third person singular needs an 's'.
Plural subjects do not take 's'.
Past tense is irregular.
We say 'it says' but 'it tells me'.
Use 'tell' when an object is present.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a radio that only says 'sez'.
Native Speakers
Use it to report facts.
Insight
It is neutral and polite.
Shortcut
He/She/It + says.
Say It Right
Don't say 'saze'.
Mistake
Don't use 'sayed'.
Did You Know?
It is over 1000 years old.
Study Smart
Read news and count how many times 'says' appears.
Rule
No 's' for I, You, We, They.
Context
Use it to cite books.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
S-A-Y-S: Someone Always Yields Speech.
Visual Association
A person pointing to a sign that says something.
Word Web
챌린지
Write 5 sentences about what your friends say.
어원
Old English
Original meaning: To tell or speak
문화적 맥락
None.
Used universally in all English-speaking cultures.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At school
- The teacher says...
- The book says...
- It says on the page...
At work
- The report says...
- My boss says...
- The email says...
Daily life
- Everyone says...
- She says she is coming...
- What does it say?
News
- The news says...
- The article says...
- The paper says...
Conversation Starters
"What does your favorite book say about life?"
"What does your mom say is the best way to cook?"
"What does the weather report say for tomorrow?"
"What does the sign on the door say?"
"What does everyone say is the best movie of the year?"
Journal Prompts
Write about what your best friend says about you.
Describe a sign you saw today and what it says.
What does your favorite song say to you?
Write about a rule your parents say you must follow.
자주 묻는 질문
8 질문No, it is third-person singular.
Like 'sez'.
Said.
Yes.
Yes, 'tells' usually needs an object.
Historical pronunciation shift.
Yes.
Extremely.
셀프 테스트
She ___ hello to me.
Third person singular needs 's'.
Which sentence is correct?
Correct conjugation.
The past tense of 'says' is 'sayed'.
The past tense is 'said'.
Word
뜻
Verb tenses.
Subject + verb + that + adjective.
점수: /5
Summary
The word 'says' is the essential tool for reporting what others think, write, or speak in the present tense.
- Used for third-person singular present tense.
- Pronounced like 'sez'.
- Used to report speech or information.
- Very common in all contexts.
Memory Palace
Imagine a radio that only says 'sez'.
Native Speakers
Use it to report facts.
Insight
It is neutral and polite.
Shortcut
He/She/It + says.
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