Said vs. Says — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 22, 2024
"Said" is the past tense of "say," used for reporting speech or thoughts in the past, while "says" is the present tense, used for current or habitual speech.
Difference Between Said and Says
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Key Differences
"Said" is used in narration or dialogue to indicate that someone spoke or thought something in the past. On the other hand, "says" is used to denote what someone is currently saying or habitually says.
While "said" is commonly used in reported speech to convey conversations or statements that have already occurred, "says" often appears in present tense narratives, or when describing regular actions or habitual statements. Whereas "says" can reflect ongoing dialogue or a general truth about someone’s speech.
The use of "said" provides a temporal context, specifically placing the action in the past, making it ideal for storytelling and reporting past events. Conversely, "says" gives a sense of immediacy or continuity, making it suitable for current news reporting or describing ongoing situations.
In literature, "said" is extensively used in direct and indirect quotations to build narrative depth and reflect past interactions. In contrast, "says" is effective in dialogue or narration that requires a present-tense setting, keeping the reader in the current moment of the discourse.
The choice between "said" and "says" can also affect the tone and immediacy of a statement. While "said" might impart a finished, detached quality, "says" implies active engagement and ongoing relevance.
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Comparison Chart
Tense
Past
Present
Usage
Reporting past speech or thoughts
Indicating current or habitual speech
Narrative Role
Provides a retrospective view
Offers immediacy and ongoing presence
Example Context
Used in storytelling, historical accounts
Used in current discussions, live reporting
Tone
Detached, reflective
Immediate, engaging
Compare with Definitions
Said
Historical report.
The president said in 1990 that economic reforms were essential.
Says
Current speech.
He says he is on his way.
Said
Past speech.
He said he would be late.
Says
General truth.
As the saying goes, he who says little hears more.
Said
Reported thought.
She said to herself that tomorrow would be better.
Says
Ongoing dialogue.
That's not true, he says.
Said
Narrative device.
I'll go, he said.
Says
Habitual statement.
She always says that honesty is the best policy.
Said
Reflective statement.
They said it was the best performance they had ever seen.
Says
Live reporting.
The CEO says that the company will expand its operations next year.
Said
Past tense and past participle of say.
Says
Says was a municipality in the district of Landquart in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. On 1 January 2008 the municipality was incorporated into neighboring Trimmis.
Said
Named or mentioned before; aforementioned
The party to the contract subsequently breached said contract.
Says
To utter aloud; pronounce
The children said, "Good morning.".
Said
Simple past tense and past participle of say
Says
To express in words
Say what's on your mind.
Said
Mentioned earlier; aforesaid.
The said party has denied the charges.
Says
To state as an opinion or judgment; declare
I say let's eat out.
Said
Mentioned earlier; aforesaid.
Said party has denied the charges.
Says
To state as a determination of fact
It's hard to say who is right in this matter.
Said
Before-mentioned; already spoken of or specified; aforesaid; - used chiefly in legal style.
Says
To report or maintain; allege
It is said he is a fraud.
Said
Being the one previously mentioned or spoken of;
Works of all the aforementioned authors
Said party has denied the charges
Says
To repeat or recite
Said grace.
Says
To indicate; show
The clock says half past two.
Says
To give nonverbal expression to; signify or embody
It was an act that said "devotion.".
Says
To suppose; assume
Let's say that you're right.
Says
To make a statement or express an opinion or judgment
The story must be true because the teacher said so.
Says
A turn or chance to speak
Having had my say, I sat down.
Says
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.
Says
(Archaic) Something said; a statement.
Says
Approximately
There were, say, 500 people present.
Says
For instance
A woodwind, say an oboe.
Says
Used to express surprise or appeal for someone's attention.
Says
Plural of say
Common Curiosities
Is "said" only used for direct speech?
"Said" can be used for both direct and indirect speech, primarily to denote past communications.
What is the importance of using "says" in news reporting?
"Says" is crucial in news reporting to convey current statements and maintain the immediacy of the information.
When should I use "said" instead of "says"?
Use "said" when you are talking about something that was spoken or thought in the past.
Can "said" and "says" be used interchangeably?
No, "said" and "says" are not interchangeable as they refer to different tenses—past and present respectively.
How do "said" and "says" influence the reader's perception?
"Said" can make the reader feel distanced from the action, reflecting on past events, while "says" keeps the reader engaged with ongoing dialogue or actions.
How can switching from "said" to "says" impact a narrative?
Switching from "said" to "says" can shift a narrative from past reflection to present action, enhancing immediacy and engagement.
What tense is "said" associated with in grammar?
"Said" is associated with the past tense in grammar.
Why might an author choose "says" in a historical narrative?
An author might use "says" in a historical narrative to give a sense of immediacy or to fictionalize a real-time conversation.
What grammatical errors commonly involve "said" and "says"?
Common errors include misusing tense, such as using "says" when referring to past events or "said" in a present-tense narrative.
Are there contexts where "said" is preferable over "says"?
"Said" is preferable in historical contexts or when recounting events that happened at a specific time in the past.
How do "said" and "says" relate to storytelling?
In storytelling, "said" helps in building a past narrative framework, while "says" can make dialogues feel immediate and lively.
Can "said" convey emotions?
"Said" can convey emotions indirectly through context, although it's generally used in a neutral manner.
Is "says" suitable for academic writing?
"Says" is suitable when discussing current theories or authors' ongoing relevance in academic writing.
What are some synonyms for "said" and "says"?
Synonyms for "said" include remarked, stated, and declared; for "says," alternatives include states, claims, and asserts.
How does the use of "said" versus "says" affect dialogue pacing?
Using "said" can maintain a steady, reflective pace in dialogue, while "says" can speed up the pacing by implying ongoing speech.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
