jorghillan
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Have you ever stopped in the middle of writing a sentence and wondered whether to use "says" or "sais"? You're not alone. This is a surprisingly common spelling mistake because the pronunciation of "says" doesn't match the way it's written. Many people type "sais" by accident, thinking it looks more natural.
The good news is that the answer is simple. Once you understand the rule, you'll never have to second-guess yourself again.
It is the third-person singular present tense of the verb "say." Whenever the subject is he, she, it, or a singular noun, you should use "says."
Examples:
The only exception is the word "sais," which is the plural form of "sai," a traditional Okinawan martial arts weapon. Outside that specific meaning, "sais" has no place as a form of the verb "say."
Even though it's spelled "says," it's pronounced like "sez." Because of this unusual pronunciation, many writers assume the spelling should better match the sound and end up typing "sais."
When the subject is singular, English verbs usually add -s in the present tense.
For example:
When these helping verbs appear, the main verb returns to its base form.
Incorrect:
Incorrect:
Both American English and British English use exactly the same spelling.
Whether you're writing in the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, or anywhere else, the correct verb is always "says." There is no accepted English variant that uses "sais."
Whether you're writing an email, school assignment, report, or social media post, using the correct spelling helps your writing appear more professional and improves your overall Grammar skills.
Fortunately, this is one of the easiest mistakes to fix. Once you remember that "says" is always the correct verb, the confusion usually disappears for good.
Remember the subject-verb agreement rule, keep your verb tenses consistent, and don't forget that does and doesn't always pair with "say," not "says." Once these rules become familiar, you'll never hesitate between "sais" and "says" again.
The good news is that the answer is simple. Once you understand the rule, you'll never have to second-guess yourself again.
Is It "Says" or "Sais"?
The correct spelling is "says."It is the third-person singular present tense of the verb "say." Whenever the subject is he, she, it, or a singular noun, you should use "says."
Examples:
- She says she'll arrive at noon.
- The teacher says homework is due tomorrow.
- My smartwatch says I reached my daily step goal.
- Dad always says honesty is the best policy.
The only exception is the word "sais," which is the plural form of "sai," a traditional Okinawan martial arts weapon. Outside that specific meaning, "sais" has no place as a form of the verb "say."
Why Do People Write "Sais"?
Although "sais" is incorrect in normal English writing, it's easy to understand why people confuse it with "says."The Pronunciation Is Misleading
The biggest reason is pronunciation.Even though it's spelled "says," it's pronounced like "sez." Because of this unusual pronunciation, many writers assume the spelling should better match the sound and end up typing "sais."
Influence From Other Languages
People familiar with French may recognize endings like "-ais," which appear in many French verb forms. That visual pattern sometimes carries over into English writing, leading to the incorrect spelling "sais."Fast Typing
Text messages, emails, and social media posts are usually written quickly. Without proofreading, a simple typo like "sais" can easily slip through unnoticed.The Grammar Rule Behind "Says"
The difference isn't just about spelling—it also follows a basic Grammar rule.When the subject is singular, English verbs usually add -s in the present tense.
| Subject | Correct Verb |
|---|---|
| I | say |
| You | say |
| He | says |
| She | says |
| It | says |
| We | say |
| They | say |
- He says the meeting starts at nine.
- She says everything is ready.
- The manager says the project is complete.
Questions and Negatives Follow a Different Rule
One rule that often confuses writers involves does and doesn't.When these helping verbs appear, the main verb returns to its base form.
Incorrect:
- Does she says the answer?
- He doesn't says much.
- Does she say the answer?
- He doesn't say much.
Don't Mix Up "Says" and "Said"
Another common mistake is switching between present and past tense.Incorrect:
- She says she finished the work and said she needs another day.
- She says she needs another day.
- She said she needed another day.
Easy Ways to Remember
If you're unsure, these quick tips can help:- If the subject is he, she, it, or a singular noun, use "says."
- If the sentence starts with does or doesn't, use "say."
- Remember that "says" sounds like "sez," even though it's spelled differently.
- Ignore "sais" unless you're talking about martial arts weapons.
Does British English Use "Sais"?
No.Both American English and British English use exactly the same spelling.
Whether you're writing in the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, or anywhere else, the correct verb is always "says." There is no accepted English variant that uses "sais."
Why This Small Difference Matters
Because "says" appears so often in everyday writing, even a small spelling mistake can make your work look less polished.Whether you're writing an email, school assignment, report, or social media post, using the correct spelling helps your writing appear more professional and improves your overall Grammar skills.
Fortunately, this is one of the easiest mistakes to fix. Once you remember that "says" is always the correct verb, the confusion usually disappears for good.
Final Thoughts
The answer is simple: "says" is always the correct spelling when using the present tense of the verb "say" with a singular subject. "Sais" is not an English verb and should only be used as the plural of "sai," the traditional martial arts weapon.Remember the subject-verb agreement rule, keep your verb tenses consistent, and don't forget that does and doesn't always pair with "say," not "says." Once these rules become familiar, you'll never hesitate between "sais" and "says" again.