If you’ve ever paused while writing “says” because it sounds more like “sez,” you’re not alone. Many English learners mistakenly write “sais” because they spell the word the way they hear it.
However, English pronunciation doesn’t always match English spelling. While both forms may sound similar, only one is correct in standard English.
In this guide, you’ll learn the difference between says and sais, why the confusion happens, how says is used in English grammar, and the easiest way to remember the correct spelling.
Quick Answer
Says is the correct spelling. It is the third-person singular present tense of the verb say and is used with subjects such as he, she, it, or any singular noun.
Sais is not a standard English word and is simply a common misspelling caused by pronunciation.
Says vs. Sais at a Glance
| Feature | Says | Sais |
|---|---|---|
| Correct spelling | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Dictionary recognized | Yes | No |
| Part of speech | Verb | Not a standard English word |
| Meaning | Third-person singular form of say | No accepted meaning |
| Pronunciation | /sɛz/ (“sez”) | Often written because of pronunciation |
| Suitable for formal writing | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Suitable for academic writing | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
What Does “Says” Mean?
Definition
Says is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb say. It is used when the subject is he, she, it, or a singular noun.
For example:
- She says she enjoys reading every evening.
- The teacher says homework should be submitted by Friday.
- My brother says he’ll arrive before dinner.
In each sentence, says introduces what someone communicates, states, or expresses.
When Do You Use “Says”?
Use says whenever you’re talking about what one person, one thing, or one organization communicates in the present tense.
Common singular subjects include:
- He
- She
- It
- John
- Sarah
- The company
- The report
- The newspaper
- The doctor
- The teacher
Examples:
- He says the meeting starts at nine.
- The report says sales increased last year.
- The doctor says you should get more rest.
If the subject is plural or uses I or you, use say instead.
Examples:
- They say practice makes perfect.
- We say thank you after receiving help.
- I say what I believe.
- You say that every time.
This simple grammar rule helps you choose the correct verb form.
Common Collocations with “Says”
Native English speakers frequently use says in these expressions:
- says that
- says so
- says nothing
- says everything
- says hello
- says goodbye
- says clearly
- says the report
- says the study
- says the law
Learning these natural combinations will make your English sound more fluent and accurate.
Real-Life Examples
Here are a few everyday situations where says is used naturally.
At school
The teacher says the exam will include essay questions.
At work
My manager says the project should be completed by Monday.
Reading the news
The article says inflation has slowed this month.
At home
My mother says we should leave early to avoid traffic.
These examples show how often says appears in daily communication.
Is “Sais” a Real Word?
The Short Answer
No. Sais is not a standard English word.
Major English dictionaries recognize says, but they do not list sais as an accepted spelling of the verb say.
If you write sais in an email, assignment, report, or article, it will be considered a spelling mistake.
Why Do People Write “Sais”?
The confusion comes from pronunciation.
The word says is pronounced:
/sɛz/
Because it sounds similar to “sez,” many learners assume it should be spelled with ai, producing sais.
This is a pronunciation-based spelling mistake rather than a grammar error.
English contains many words whose pronunciation doesn’t perfectly match their spelling, and says is one of them.
Is “Sais” Ever Correct?
In standard English, the answer is no.
You may occasionally notice sais in:
- text messages,
- online comments,
- social media posts,
- or unedited drafts.
However, these are simply spelling mistakes rather than accepted forms of the word.
Whenever you’re writing for school, work, publishing, or professional communication, always use says.
Verb Forms of “Say”
Learning the complete verb forms makes it easier to remember when says should be used.
| Verb Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Base form | say | I say what I think. |
| Third-person singular | says | She says the answer is correct. |
| Past tense | said | He said he was busy. |
| Past participle | said | They have said enough. |
| Present participle | saying | She is saying the same thing again. |
Notice that only the third-person singular present tense changes to says.
This pattern follows the same grammar rule as many other English verbs:
| Base Verb | Third-Person Singular |
|---|---|
| work | works |
| read | reads |
| play | plays |
| write | writes |
| say | says |
Understanding this rule helps you use the correct verb form naturally in both speaking and writing.
Why Is “Says” Pronounced “Sez”?
One of the biggest reasons people search for “says or sais” is that the pronunciation doesn’t seem to match the spelling.
The correct pronunciation of says is:
/sɛz/ (sounds like “sez”)
This pronunciation has developed through the historical evolution of English. Like many common English words, says kept its traditional spelling even though its pronunciation changed over time.
This isn’t unusual. English has many words whose spelling and pronunciation don’t perfectly match, such as:
- said
- does
- one
- busy
Because learners hear “sez,” they often assume the word should be spelled sais. In reality, says is the only correct spelling.
The easiest rule to remember is:
It sounds like “sez,” but it’s always spelled “says.”
How to Remember the Correct Spelling
Spelling says correctly becomes much easier once you connect it to its base verb.
Remember the Base Verb
The base verb is say.
When you use it with he, she, it, or any singular noun, simply add -s.
- say → says ✅
- say → sais ❌
Since English doesn’t change the y in this verb, says is the only correct form.
Use a Simple Memory Trick
A quick way to remember is:
Say + S = Says
Don’t spell the word based on how it sounds. Spell it based on the verb say.
Think About Subject-Verb Agreement
Whenever the subject is singular, you’ll normally need says.
Examples:
- He says
- She says
- My friend says
- The report says
This grammar rule helps you avoid both spelling and verb-form mistakes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even advanced English learners occasionally make mistakes with says because pronunciation can be misleading.
Mistake 1: Writing “Sais”
❌ She sais she’s ready.
✅ She says she’s ready.
The second sentence uses the correct spelling.
Mistake 2: Using “Say” with a Singular Subject
❌ My teacher say homework is important.
✅ My teacher says homework is important.
Remember that singular subjects take says in the present tense.
Mistake 3: Spelling by Sound
Many learners write words exactly as they hear them.
Although says sounds like “sez,” English spelling doesn’t always reflect pronunciation. Relying only on sound often leads to spelling mistakes.
Example Sentences Using “Says”
Here are examples showing how says is used in different situations.
Everyday Conversation
- My sister says she’ll call later.
- He says he’s already finished the assignment.
- Sarah says the restaurant serves excellent food.
School and Education
- The teacher says tomorrow’s quiz will cover two chapters.
- The textbook says practice improves fluency.
- My professor says clear writing is more important than complicated vocabulary.
Workplace
- The manager says the project is ahead of schedule.
- The client says they’re happy with the results.
- The company says customer satisfaction remains its top priority.
News and Media
- The report says inflation has slowed this quarter.
- The article says scientists made an important discovery.
- The survey says most employees prefer flexible working hours.
These examples reflect how frequently says appears in everyday English.
FAQs
1. Is sais a real English word?
No. Sais is not recognized as a standard English word. It is a common misspelling of says.
2. Which is correct: says or sais?
Says is the correct spelling. It is the third-person singular present tense of the verb say.
3. Why is says pronounced “sez”?
English pronunciation has changed over time, but the traditional spelling has remained the same. As a result, says is pronounced /sɛz/ even though it is spelled with ay.
4. What does says mean?
Says means speaks, states, expresses, or communicates something in the present tense.
5. When should I use says?
Use says with singular subjects such as he, she, it, or any singular noun.
6. What are the verb forms of say?
The verb forms are:
- Base form: say
- Third-person singular: says
- Past tense: said
- Past participle: said
- Present participle: saying
7. Can I use sais in formal writing?
No. Sais should never be used in academic writing, business communication, professional documents, or published content.
8. How can I remember the correct spelling?
Remember this simple rule:
Say + S = Says
If the base verb is say, the third-person singular form is always says.
Final Verdict
If you’re choosing between says and sais, the correct spelling is always says. It is the standard third-person singular form of the verb say and is used with subjects such as he, she, it, and singular nouns. Although it’s pronounced /sɛz/, the spelling never changes to sais.
The next time you’re unsure, remember the base verb say. Simply add -s to form says, and you’ll use the correct spelling confidently in conversations, emails, essays, reports, and professional writing.
Hi, I’m Ronald Carter from Spellixy.com.
I am an English language and grammar expert, helping learners understand grammar rules, improve writing skills, and learn English in a simple and practical way.
