Saying vs. Say — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 8, 2024
"Saying" is typically a noun referring to a well-known phrase or proverb, while "say" is a verb that involves expressing something in words.
Difference Between Saying and Say
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Saying" refers to a common expression or proverb used to convey an idea or a moral, while "say" is an action where someone articulates their thoughts or feelings.
"Saying" is often used in a traditional or habitual sense, capturing wisdom handed down through generations, whereas "say" is dynamic, varying greatly depending on the speaker and context.
A "saying" is generally fixed in its wording and meaning, aimed at brevity and memorability, on the other hand, "say" can be flexible, with the speaker choosing their words to fit the situation.
"Saying" captures collective human experiences and is used in teaching or reinforcing societal norms or values, while "say" serves as a direct expression of an individual's thoughts or commands.
"Saying" typically does not change over time, maintaining a consistent message, whereas "say" can differ each time it is used, tailored to the circumstances and the speaker’s intent.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Noun
Verb
Definition
A proverb or traditional phrase
To utter words or articulate thoughts
Usage
Fixed phrases
Variable expressions
Function
Conveys established wisdom
Expresses individual thoughts or commands
Example of Usage
"A stitch in time saves nine"
"She said she would be late"
Compare with Definitions
Saying
A fixed, memorable phrase conveying societal norms.
The saying 'Honesty is the best policy' is taught to children worldwide.
Say
To indicate or show.
The clock says it's past midnight.
Saying
A commonly repeated phrase or proverb.
The saying 'An apple a day keeps the doctor away' promotes daily apple consumption for health.
Say
To utter words or sounds as a form of communication.
She was too nervous to say anything during the meeting.
Saying
An aphorism used to impart advice or moral lessons.
Her grandmother was fond of the saying 'Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise'.
Say
To recite or read aloud.
Can you say the poem you wrote?
Saying
A traditional expression representing wisdom.
He used the saying 'Nothing ventured, nothing gained' to encourage risk-taking.
Say
To express in words.
He said that he would be there by noon.
Saying
A colloquial or idiomatic phrase used in common speech.
That's just a saying we have around here to mean keep trying.
Say
To state or declare something.
The sign says 'Keep Off the Grass'.
Saying
A saying is any concisely written or spoken expression that is especially memorable because of its meaning or style. Sayings are categorized as follows: Aphorism: a general, observational truth; "a pithy expression of wisdom or truth".Adage, proverb, or saw: a widely known or popular aphorism that has gained credibility by long use or tradition.
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
Saying
A short, pithy, commonly known expression which generally offers advice or wisdom.
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
Saying
Something, such as an adage or maxim, that is said.
Say
An opportunity for stating one's opinion or feelings
She let him have his say
Saying
Present participle of say
Say
To utter aloud; pronounce
The children said, "Good morning.".
Saying
A proverb or maxim.
Say
To express in words
Say what's on your mind.
Saying
(obsolete) That which is said; an utterance.
Say
To state as an opinion or judgment; declare
I say let's eat out.
Saying
That which is said; a declaration; a statement, especially a proverbial one; an aphorism; a proverb.
Many are the sayings of the wise,In ancient and in modern books enrolled.
Say
To state as a determination of fact
It's hard to say who is right in this matter.
Saying
A word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations;
Pardon the expression
Say
To report or maintain; allege
It is said he is a fraud.
Say
To repeat or recite
Said grace.
Say
To indicate; show
The clock says half past two.
Say
To give nonverbal expression to; signify or embody
It was an act that said "devotion.".
Say
To suppose; assume
Let's say that you're right.
Say
To make a statement or express an opinion or judgment
The story must be true because the teacher said so.
Say
A turn or chance to speak
Having had my say, I sat down.
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.
Say
(Archaic) Something said; a statement.
Say
Approximately
There were, say, 500 people present.
Say
For instance
A woodwind, say an oboe.
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
What is a saying?
A saying is a commonly repeated proverb or phrase that expresses a general truth or advice.
How is 'say' commonly used?
'Say' is used as a verb to express or communicate verbally.
What are some examples of popular sayings?
Popular sayings include "Better late than never" and "Birds of a feather flock together."
How does the function of 'saying' differ from 'say'?
'Saying' functions to convey fixed, traditional wisdom, while 'say' is used for individual expressions in various contexts.
What contexts are appropriate for using a saying?
Sayings are often used in advice-giving, teaching scenarios, or casual conversations to reflect common wisdom or shared values.
Can 'saying' and 'say' be used interchangeably?
No, 'saying' is a noun referring to a fixed phrase, while 'say' is a verb involving expression.
What are the linguistic origins of the word 'saying'?
The word 'saying' comes from the Old English 'sagu', which means a saying or speech, reflecting its use as a statement or proverb.
How can the use of 'say' impact communication?
Proper use of 'say' can clarify communication, provide specific information, and express personal thoughts effectively, impacting the listener's understanding and response.
Can the meaning of a saying change over time?
Typically, the wording of a saying remains constant to preserve its traditional wisdom, though its perceived relevance or interpretation might evolve.
In what situations is 'say' most commonly used?
'Say' is used in everyday conversation, formal presentations, or whenever someone needs to articulate thoughts, make statements, or give commands.
Is there any grammatical difference between 'saying' and 'say'?
Yes, 'saying' is a noun, referring to a type of fixed phrase, while 'say' is a verb, used to denote the act of speaking or expressing.
Are sayings used in all cultures?
Yes, every culture has its own set of sayings or proverbs that encapsulate the wisdom, values, and norms specific to that culture.
How does the verb 'say' interact with direct and indirect speech?
'Say' can introduce both direct speech, where the exact words are quoted, and indirect speech, where the essence of the original statement is conveyed without quotation.
What role does intonation play when using the verb 'say'?
Intonation can significantly affect the meaning of what is said, conveying emotions like surprise, anger, or sarcasm that are not explicit in the words alone.
Is there a specific structure to the formation of a saying?
Sayings often feature a concise, memorable structure, typically using rhymes, alliteration, or a balanced phrasing to aid in retention and recall.
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Written 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.
Co-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.
