I Opinion Give Express Introduce Agree Seɪ Word

• ‘hello!’ she said.
• ‘that was marvellous,’ said daniel.
• a legendary football coach once said, ‘winning is everything.’
• be quiet, i have something to say.

say

Verb Forms

1. to speak or tell somebody something, using words
• ‘Hello!’ she said.
• ‘That was marvellous,’ said Daniel.
• A legendary football coach once said, ‘Winning is everything.’
• Be quiet, I have something to say.
• Come and say hello.
• Please say yes!
• I didn't believe a word she said.
• That's a terrible thing to say.
• She said nothing to me about it.
• I said to myself (= thought), ‘That can't be right!’
• He said (that) his name was Sam.
• Can I just say I'm not happy about this.
• I have to say I was pleasantly surprised.
• It is said that she lived to be over 100.
• She finds it hard to say what she feels.
• ‘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.’
• He said to meet him here.
• He is said to have been a brilliant scholar.

Extra Examples

• ‘I am home, ’ he said simply.
• ‘I don't know,’ she said crossly.
• ‘There's nothing wrong with him, ’ she said airily.
• ‘Well, at least we tried!’ he said with a shrug.
• ‘You'll see!’ Lianne said with a smile.
• A government spokesman was quoted as saying that they would take steps to restore order.
• Can you honestly say you're sorry?
• I dared not say a word about it to anyone.
• I heard him say they were leaving tomorrow.
• I've forgotten what I was going to say.
2. to repeat words, phrases, etc.
• to say a prayer
• Try to say that line with more conviction.
3. to give particular information or instructions
• The notice said ‘Keep Out’.
• The clock said three o'clock.
• The instructions say (that) we should leave it to set for four hours.
• The book doesn't say where he was born.
• The guidebook says to turn left.
4. to express an opinion on something
• 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)?
• I can't say I blame her for resigning (= I think she was right).
• I have to say I enjoyed every minute.
• 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).
• It's hard to say what caused the accident.
• It's difficult to say whether the story is true.
• ‘When will it be finished?’ ‘I couldn't say (= I don't know).’
• Is it worth it? I would say not.

Extra Examples

• Do you have anything to say about this?
• I wouldn't like to say what the impact might be on my business.
• She wasn't at her best, it has to be said.
• It's difficult to say exactly where it will land.
• I hate to say it, but I think Stephen may be right.
• I have to say I didn't expect it to be so good.
• It is fair to say a considerable amount of effort went into the project.
5. to make thoughts, feelings, etc. clear to somebody by using words, looks, movements, etc.
• His angry glance said it all.
• Just what is the artist trying to say in her work?
• The museum's architects have managed to say something about our national story.
6. to show, sometimes indirectly, what somebody/something is like
• That says it all really, doesn't it? (= it shows clearly what is true)
• The incident says an awful lot about his character.
• This says to me that there is more here than you are letting on.
7. to suggest or give something as an example or a possibility
• You could learn the basics in, let's say, three months.
• Let’s take any writer, say (= for example) Dickens…
• Say you lose your job: what would you do then?
• Just say he refuses to talk to you.
8. to be much more difficult to do than to talk about
• ‘Why don't you get yourself a job?’ ‘That's easier said than done.’
9. very quickly; in a very short time
10. used to say that you understand a situation and there is no need to say any more
• ‘He's a politician, remember.’ ‘Enough said.’
11. to be very obvious or easy to predict
• Of course I'll help you. That goes without saying.
12. to be ready, unwilling, etc. to talk or give your views on something
• She doesn't have much to say for herself (= doesn't take part in conversation).
• He had plenty to say for himself (= he had a lot of opinions and was willing to talk).
• Late again—what have you got to say for yourself (= what is your excuse)?
13. to be angry
• He knew that if he wasn't back by midnight, his parents would have something to say about it.
14. used to introduce an opinion that makes what you have just said seem less strong
• I sometimes get worried in this job. Having said that, I enjoy doing it, it's a challenge.
15. used when you are saying that something is likely
• I dare say you know about it already.
16. used when you are going to criticize somebody or say something that might upset them
• That colour doesn't really suit you, if you don't mind my saying so.
17. used to tell somebody that you have listened to their opinion, especially when you are going to express a different opinion
• I hear what you're saying, but you're wrong.
18. used for emphasis to say ‘yes’
• ‘Does she see him often?’ ‘I'll say! Nearly every day.’
19. used when you are commenting on a situation and saying that you are happy about it
• Most teachers, I'm glad to say, take their jobs very seriously.
20. used for saying that something is disappointing
• He didn't accept the job, I'm sorry to say.
21. used to emphasize an opinion
• Well, I must say, that's the funniest thing I've heard all week.
22. used to express surprise, shock, etc.
• I say! What a huge cake!
23. used to attract somebody’s attention or introduce a new subject of conversation
• I say, can you lend me five pounds?
24. it shows a good/bad quality that somebody/something has
• It says a lot for her that she never lost her temper.
• It didn't say much for their efficiency that the order arrived a week late.
25. used to say that you would like something or to accept something that is offered
• I wouldn't say no to a pizza.
• ‘Tea, Brian?’ ‘I wouldn't say no.’
26. a bad situation will pass or be forgotten most quickly if nothing more is said about it
27. the best thing to do is say as little as possible about something
28. used when commenting on a situation to suggest that you could say something more or worse but prefer not to
• Let's just say he wasn't very happy about the decision (= he was very unhappy or angry about it).
29. used when making a suggestion or giving an example
• I can let you have it for, well let's say £100.
30. used to emphasize what you are saying or to ask somebody if they really mean what they say
• I mean to say, you should have known how he would react!
• Do you mean to say you've lost it?
31. used to emphasize that the information you are giving is obvious
• The problem, needless to say, is the cost involved.
32. do not stop hoping
33. used to say that something was, or will be, done immediately
34. to never say anything good about somebody/something
• Nobody had a good word to say about him.
35. to be very shy or gentle
• He's so nervous he wouldn't say boo to a goose.
36. used to introduce a stronger way of describing something
• a difficult, not to say impossible, task
37. used to ask somebody to smile before you take their photograph
38. to say something important
• You said a mouthful there, buddy.
39. to refuse an offer, a suggestion, etc.
• If you don't invest in this, you're saying no to a potential fortune.
40. used to say that you understand exactly what somebody means or is trying to say, so it is unnecessary to say anything more
• ‘They went to Paris together.’ ‘Say no more!’
41. to say exactly what you feel or think
42. used to express surprise at what somebody has just said
• ‘He's getting married.’ ‘Say what?’
43. used to ask somebody to tell you when you should stop pouring a drink or serving food for them because they have enough
44. to give an order; to make a request
• Just say the word, and I'll go.
45. used to suggest that although you could say more, what you do say will be enough to explain what you mean
• I won’t go into all the details. Suffice it to say that the whole event was a complete disaster.
46. in other words
• SEE ALSO i.e.
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/i-e
• three days from now, that is to say on Friday
47. used to introduce an opinion that makes what you have just said seem less strong
48. used to say that something is not very unusual or special
• She's a better player than me, but that's not saying much (= because I am a very bad player).
49. used to say that it is impossible to predict what might happen
• There's no saying how he'll react.
50. there are/are not good reasons for doing something, believing something or agreeing with something
51. without making something seem better, worse, more serious, etc. than it really is
• I was surprised, to say the least.
52. used to introduce a further fact or thing in addition to those already mentioned
• SYNONYM not to mention
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/mention_1#mention_idmg_2
• It was too expensive, to say nothing of the time it wasted.
53. I agree completely
• ‘We must stand up for ourselves.’ ‘Well said, John.’
54. would you like something/to do something?
• What would you say to eating out tonight?
• Let's go away for a weekend. What do you say?
55. used to agree to somebody’s suggestion because you do not want to argue
56. a particular person must be obeyed
• Sarah wanted the kitchen painted green, and what she says, goes.
57. when everything is considered
• I know you're upset, but when all's said and done it isn't exactly a disaster.
58. used to say that nobody knows the answer to a question
• Who can say what will happen next year?
59. used to disagree with a statement or an opinion
• Who says I can't do it?
60. used to say that something might happen or might have happened in a particular way, because nobody really knows
• Who's to say we would not have succeeded if we'd had more time?
61. I agree with you completely
• ‘He's in a bad mood today.’ ‘You can say that again!’
62. used to say that you think the offer you are making is reasonable or generous
• Look, I'll give you £100 for it. You can't say fairer than that.
63. used to express surprise
• ‘They left without us.’ ‘You don't say!’ (= I'm not surprised)
64. used to agree with somebody when they say something about themselves that you would not have been rude enough to say yourself
• ‘I know I'm not the world's greatest cook.’ ‘You said it!’
65. used to agree with somebody’s suggestion

Word Origin

• Old English secgan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zeggen and German sagen.