Depose vs. Say — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 30, 2024
"Depose" involves formally testifying or giving sworn evidence, typically in a legal setting, while "say" refers to expressing or stating something verbally in general contexts.
Difference Between Depose and Say
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Key Differences
"Depose" is a formal term used primarily in legal contexts, referring to the act of giving testimony under oath, usually during a deposition where a witness's sworn statement is recorded for later use in court. On the other hand, "say" is a much broader and more commonly used term that involves verbal expression or stating something, which can occur in any context, whether casual or formal.
While depositions are structured and require the presence of legal representatives and a method for recording the testimony, such as a court reporter, saying something can be as simple as making a comment in a conversation without any need for formality or record. In contrast, depositions serve as crucial evidence in legal proceedings, reflecting their more stringent and procedural nature.
Depose implies a legal responsibility and accountability, as the deponent must provide truthful answers due to the legal consequences of perjury. Conversely, saying something carries no inherent legal weight unless it is made under circumstances that confer legal significance, such as making a statement to the police or under oath.
The process of being deposed involves answering questions posed by attorneys, and it is often part of pre-trial discovery. This is different from just saying something, which does not inherently involve questioning by others or a structured process.
The intent behind deposing someone is to gather information that will likely be used in a legal context, potentially influencing the outcomes of legal decisions. Whereas, saying something is generally about communication or sharing information, opinions, or thoughts without the direct intention of influencing a legal outcome.
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Comparison Chart
Context
Legal, formal
Any, informal
Purpose
Testimony, evidence collection
General communication
Structure
Structured, procedural
Unstructured, casual
Legal Implications
Statements are under oath
No inherent legal implications
Outcome Influence
Can significantly impact legal cases
Generally does not impact legal cases
Compare with Definitions
Depose
To provide legally binding testimony.
He will be deposed next week in preparation for the court case.
Say
To utter words or express thoughts verbally.
She said that she would be late.
Depose
To testify or give sworn evidence in a legal setting.
He was deposed as part of the lawsuit against the company.
Say
To state or declare something.
The sign says “No Entry”.
Depose
To give testimony under oath, especially during a deposition.
The witness was deposed over two days for the ongoing trial.
Say
To express in words.
He said his goodbyes quietly.
Depose
To make a formal statement for use in a legal case.
She deposed that she had seen the defendant at the scene.
Say
To use speech to convey information.
What did the note say?
Depose
To answer questions under oath in a legal deposition.
The CEO was deposed about the company’s financial dealings.
Say
To articulate or pronounce words.
The child is learning to say her name clearly.
Depose
Remove from office suddenly and forcefully
He had been deposed by a military coup
Say
Utter words so as to convey information, an opinion, a feeling or intention, or an instruction
He said to come early
Our parents wouldn't believe a word we said
‘Thank you,’ he said
He said the fund stood at £100,000
Depose
Testify to or give (evidence) under oath, typically in a written statement
Every affidavit shall state which of the facts deposed to are within the deponent's knowledge
Say
Assume something in order to work out what its consequences would be; make a hypothesis
Let's say we pay in five thousand pounds in the first year
Depose
To remove from office or power.
Say
Used to express surprise or to draw attention to a remark or question
Say, did you notice any blood?
Depose
To dethrone.
Say
An opportunity for stating one's opinion or feelings
She let him have his say
Depose
(Law) To take a deposition from
Investigators will depose the witness behind closed doors.
Say
To utter aloud; pronounce
The children said, "Good morning.".
Depose
To give testimony by affidavit or deposition.
Say
To express in words
Say what's on your mind.
Depose
To put down; to lay down; to deposit; to lay aside; to put away.
Say
To state as an opinion or judgment; declare
I say let's eat out.
Depose
(transitive) To remove (a leader) from (high) office, without killing the incumbent.
A deposed monarch may go into exile as pretender to the lost throne, hoping to be restored in a subsequent revolution.
Say
To state as a determination of fact
It's hard to say who is right in this matter.
Depose
To give evidence or testimony, especially in response to interrogation during a deposition
Say
To report or maintain; allege
It is said he is a fraud.
Depose
To interrogate and elicit testimony from during a deposition; typically done by a lawyer.
After we deposed the claimant we had enough evidence to avoid a trial.
Say
To repeat or recite
Said grace.
Depose
(intransitive) To take or swear an oath.
Say
To indicate; show
The clock says half past two.
Depose
To testify; to bear witness; to claim; to assert; to affirm.
Say
To give nonverbal expression to; signify or embody
It was an act that said "devotion.".
Depose
To lay down; to divest one's self of; to lay aside.
Thus when the state one Edward did depose,A greater Edward in his room arose.
Say
To suppose; assume
Let's say that you're right.
Depose
To let fall; to deposit.
Additional mud deposed upon it.
Say
To make a statement or express an opinion or judgment
The story must be true because the teacher said so.
Depose
To remove from a throne or other high station; to dethrone; to divest or deprive of office.
A tyrant over his subjects, and therefore worthy to be deposed.
Say
A turn or chance to speak
Having had my say, I sat down.
Depose
To testify under oath; to bear testimony to; - now usually said of bearing testimony which is officially written down for future use.
To depose the yearly rent or valuation of lands.
Say
The right or power to influence or make a decision
Citizens have a say in the councils of government. All I want is some say in the matter.
Depose
To put under oath.
Depose him in the justice of his cause.
Say
(Archaic) Something said; a statement.
Depose
To bear witness; to testify under oath; to make deposition.
Then, seeing't was he that made you to despose,Your oath, my lord, is vain and frivolous.
Say
Approximately
There were, say, 500 people present.
Depose
Force to leave (an office)
Say
For instance
A woodwind, say an oboe.
Depose
Make a deposition; declare under oath
Say
Used to express surprise or appeal for someone's attention.
Say
(transitive) To pronounce.
Please say your name slowly and clearly.
Say
(transitive) To recite.
Martha, will you say the Pledge of Allegiance?
Say
(transitive) To tell, either verbally or in writing.
He said he would be here tomorrow.
Say
(transitive) To indicate in a written form.
The sign says it’s 50 kilometres to Paris.
Say
To have a common expression; used in singular passive voice or plural active voice to indicate a rumor or well-known fact.
They say "when in Rome, do as the Romans do", which means "behave as those around you do."
Say
Suppose, assume; used to mark an example, supposition or hypothesis.
A holiday somewhere warm – Florida, say – would be nice.
Say he refuses. What do we do then?
Say your family is starving and you don't have any money, is it okay to steal some food?
Say
(intransitive) To speak; to express an opinion; to make answer; to reply.
Say
To bet as a wager on an outcome; by extension, used to express belief in an outcome by the speaker.
Say
To try; to assay.
Say
A chance to speak; the right or power to influence or make a decision.
Say
A type of fine cloth similar to serge.
Say
Trial by sample; assay; specimen.
Say
Tried quality; temper; proof.
Say
Essay; trial; attempt.
Say
For example; let us assume.
Pick a color you think they'd like, say, peach.
He was driving pretty fast, say, fifty miles per hour.
Say
(colloquial) Used to gain someone's attention before making an inquiry or suggestion
Say, what did you think about the movie?
Say
Saw.
Say
Trial by sample; assay; sample; specimen; smack.
If those principal works of God . . . be but certain tastes and says, as it were, of that final benefit.
Thy tongue some say of breeding breathes.
Say
Tried quality; temper; proof.
He found a sword of better say.
Say
Essay; trial; attempt.
Say
A kind of silk or satin.
Thou say, thou serge, nay, thou buckram lord!
Say
A delicate kind of serge, or woolen cloth.
His garment neither was of silk nor say.
Say
A speech; something said; an expression of opinion; a current story; a maxim or proverb.
He no sooner said out his say, but up rises a cunning snap.
That strange palmer's boding say,That fell so ominous and drearFull on the object of his fear.
Say
To try; to assay.
Say
To utter or express in words; to tell; to speak; to declare; as, he said many wise things.
Arise, and say how thou camest here.
Say
To repeat; to rehearse; to recite; to pronounce; as, to say a lesson.
Of my instruction hast thou nothing batedIn what thou hadst to say?
After which shall be said or sung the following hymn.
Say
To announce as a decision or opinion; to state positively; to assert; hence, to form an opinion upon; to be sure about; to be determined in mind as to.
But what it is, hard is to say.
Say
To mention or suggest as an estimate, hypothesis, or approximation; hence, to suppose; - in the imperative, followed sometimes by the subjunctive; as, he had, say fifty thousand dollars; the fox had run, say ten miles.
Say, for nonpayment that the debt should double,Is twenty hundred kisses such a trouble?
Say
To speak; to express an opinion; to make answer; to reply.
You have said; but whether wisely or no, let the forest judge.
To this argument we shall soon have said; for what concerns it us to hear a husband divulge his household privacies?
Say
The chance to speak;
Let him have his say
Say
Express in words;
He said that he wanted to marry her
Tell me what is bothering you
State your opinion
State your name
Say
Report or maintain;
He alleged that he was the victim of a crime
He said it was too late to intervene in the war
The registrar says that I owe the school money
Say
Express a supposition;
Let us say that he did not tell the truth
Let's say you had a lot of money--what would you do?
Say
Have or contain a certain wording or form;
The passage reads as follows
What does the law say?
Say
State as one's opinion or judgement; declare;
I say let's forget this whole business
Say
Utter aloud;
She said `Hello' to everyone in the office
Say
Give instructions to or direct somebody to do something with authority;
I said to him to go home
She ordered him to do the shopping
The mother told the child to get dressed
Say
Speak, pronounce, or utter in a certain way;
She pronounces French words in a funny way
I cannot say `zip wire'
Can the child sound out this complicated word?
Say
Recite or repeat a fixed text;
Say grace
She said her `Hail Mary'
Say
Communicate or express nonverbally;
What does this painting say?
Did his face say anything about how he felt?
Say
Indicate;
The clock says noon
Common Curiosities
How formal is the process of deposing someone?
Deposing someone is a highly formal process, governed by legal rules and typically conducted by legal professionals.
Can anyone be deposed?
Generally, anyone who is a witness or has relevant information to a legal case can be deposed.
What does it mean to depose someone?
To depose someone means to formally take their testimony under oath, usually in preparation for a trial.
What is a deposition like?
A deposition involves a witness answering questions under oath, with attorneys from both sides present, and the answers are recorded for future reference in the trial.
Can "say" have legal implications?
Yes, if something is said under oath or in a legal declaration, it can have legal implications similar to a deposition.
Does deposing always occur in a courtroom?
No, depositions typically occur outside of the courtroom, such as in attorneys' offices.
Can the terms "depose" and "say" be used interchangeably?
No, due to the formal and legal specificity of "depose," it is not interchangeable with the more general "say."
Is saying something under oath the same as deposing?
Saying something under oath during formal proceedings like a deposition or in court is part of deposing, but not all statements made under oath are depositions.
What are the consequences of lying when deposed?
Lying under oath during a deposition can lead to charges of perjury, which is a criminal offense.
Is a deposition confidential?
Depositions are part of the discovery process and are generally not public, but they can be disclosed under certain legal circumstances.
Who can depose someone?
Typically, only attorneys can conduct depositions, as part of legal proceedings.
How is what someone says in court different from a deposition?
Statements in court are part of the trial itself, while depositions are usually taken before a trial to gather evidence.
What's the difference between being interviewed and being deposed?
Being interviewed can be informal and does not require legal procedures, whereas being deposed is formal and legally structured.
What is necessary for a statement to be considered a deposition?
The statement must be made under oath, recorded, and part of a legal process.
Can I refuse to say something during a deposition?
You can refuse to answer questions only if the answer might incriminate you, otherwise you are required to answer truthfully.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
