Says Or Sais

Says vs. Sais: A Grammatical Showdown

Have you ever stumbled upon a text, a tweet, or even a meticulously crafted novel, only to be thrown off by a seemingly simple word – "says" or "sais"? The difference might seem insignificant, a mere slip of the finger on a keyboard, but this tiny grammatical detail can significantly impact the credibility and clarity of your writing. Let's delve into this seemingly minor but surprisingly impactful linguistic battleground and explore the nuances that distinguish "says" from "sais."

Understanding the Basics: "Says" – The Undisputed Champion

In modern English, "says" is the present tense, third-person singular form of the verb "to say." It's the word you'll use 99.9% of the time when referring to someone speaking or expressing something. It's versatile, fitting smoothly into both formal and informal contexts.

Examples:

"The professor says the exam will be challenging." (Formal)
"My friend says he's going to the party." (Informal)
"The sign says 'No Parking'." (Instructional)

The simplicity and widespread acceptance of "says" make it the clear winner in almost all situations. Its usage is straightforward and requires little to no explanation.

The Mysterious "Sais": A Relic of the Past?

"Sais," on the other hand, is a much rarer sight. It's the archaic past tense third-person singular form of "to say." While occasionally found in older literature and historical texts, its usage in contemporary writing is exceedingly uncommon and often considered incorrect. You're unlikely to find it in any reputable modern publication unless it's intentionally used for stylistic effect (e.g., mimicking archaic language in a historical fiction novel).

Examples (primarily historical or stylistic):

"The old chronicle sais that the king was a tyrant." (Historical context)
"He sais not a word, but his eyes spoke volumes." (Stylistic choice mimicking older writing)

Attempting to use "sais" in modern writing, unless within a specific stylistic context, will likely raise eyebrows and detract from your writing's overall impact.

The Subtleties of Tense and Context

The core difference lies in tense. "Says" is present tense, indicating an ongoing or habitual action, while "sais" is the archaic past tense, suggesting a completed action. The context is crucial. If you're describing something someone is currently saying, "says" is the only correct option. If you're recounting something someone said in the past, you would use "said." There's simply no place for "sais" in most contemporary writing.

Incorrect: "He sais he would be late." (Should be "He said he would be late.")
Correct: "The document says that…" (Present tense reporting)

Avoiding Confusion: A Practical Guide

The simplest way to avoid this grammatical pitfall is to always default to "says" for present tense and "said" for past tense. Remember that "sais" is virtually obsolete in modern English writing. Using a grammar checker can also help identify and correct any unintended use of "sais." Relying on your ear and intuition can sometimes lead to mistakes, so consulting a style guide or dictionary when in doubt is always a good idea.

The "Sais" Exception: Literary License and Archaic Styles

While generally avoided, there might be niche situations where using "sais" is acceptable. Writers of historical fiction or those intentionally employing an archaic style might incorporate "sais" to enhance the authenticity of their language. However, this is a deliberate stylistic choice, not a rule-breaking exception for everyday writing. Even then, it's crucial to use it sparingly and within a consistent stylistic framework to avoid jarring the reader.

Conclusion

In the grammatical battle between "says" and "sais," "says" emerges as the clear victor for modern English usage. "Sais," a relic of the past, holds limited applicability primarily in stylistic contexts mimicking older forms of writing. Sticking to the present tense "says" and the past tense "said" will ensure clarity and grammatical correctness in your writing, avoiding unnecessary confusion and maintaining credibility.

Expert-Level FAQs:

1. Is "sais" ever grammatically correct? Technically, yes, in the context of archaic English. However, it's practically obsolete in modern English writing and should be avoided unless intentionally used for stylistic effect within a specific historical or literary framework.

2. How can I distinguish between "says," "said," and "sais" in older texts? Context is key. Pay close attention to the overall tense and style of the writing. "Sais" is usually identifiable through its archaic usage and often appears alongside other archaic vocabulary.

3. What are the potential consequences of using "sais" incorrectly? It can undermine your credibility as a writer, distract the reader, and damage the overall impact of your writing. It signals a lack of attention to detail and grammatical accuracy.

4. Can I use "sais" in informal writing with friends? No. Even in informal contexts, using "sais" is likely to be perceived as incorrect or humorous, not stylish.

5. Are there any other archaic forms of "to say" I should be aware of? Yes, older English texts might employ variations like "quoth," but these are even more rare than "sais" in modern usage. Focusing on mastering "says" and "said" is the primary concern for contemporary writers.

Search Results:

Could someone help me understand what NL means when he says … 16 Jan 2023 · the guy who grew up in quebec can't understand the guy with the french last name when he says je ne sais quoi, I can't tell if this is a hilarious misunderstanding or an amazing …

Sais or says? : r/Glitch_in_the_Matrix - Reddit Dude yes thank you for posting this I had the same realization about 2 months ago, I always spelled it sais I swear that's how I was taught to spell it, I won our spelling bee and had to write the whole …

Is "je ne sais quoi" an actual French expression? : r/French - Reddit 14 Sep 2015 · "Je ne sais quoi" (or colloquially pronounced "Je n'sais quoi") is used in France, either as part of the sentence structure or like a noun. It basically means a little something you can't …

Sayd Said Says Sais : r/language - Reddit 1 Nov 2021 · "Dig a little deeper and you will find that 'said' is connected to the archaic word 'saith', pronounced /seth/, which was replaced with 'says' in the 13th century. Both 'say' and 'said' are …

battle net keeps telling me my hard-drive is full when i try ... - Reddit 18 Mar 2024 · info: this just started today, i was playing it just fine a couple hours ago, and now all of the sudden it needs to update, and it's accusing me of being out of HDD space, which is clearly …

Gas bill says 6.6k : r/AusFinance - Reddit 2 Jan 2024 · I just got a gas bill from simply energy for 146 days and it says I owe them $6,643.80. Apparently my 4 people household has used 181727 mj of gas between 25th May and 2nd June. I …

How to Avoid Anvils Saying "Too Expensive" When Combining 26 Jul 2019 · And says the same stuff I'm gonna say here. The game ignores about enchantments that cannot be put on that item. So efficiency on a sword isn't included in the cost and fortune on a …

Is it Sais or Says the correct way? : r/NoStupidQuestions - Reddit 26 Aug 2018 · Says is correct. Sais is not an English word. It's mean "know" in French, but that's probably just a ...

Dreaded "SOS Only" iPhone problems with using eSIM : … 31 Jan 2023 · Was having a similar problem. Following steps worked for me. reset network settings. Phone turns on. ...

How can you tell when someone says "je sais," versus "j'essaie?" 18 Sep 2023 · The reason I ask is that someone complimented my rudimentary French and said I was doing a good job. I replied with, "j'essaie," meaning to tell them that I'm trying. But I later …