Base
I say hello to my neighbors every day.
A daily habit uses the base form say.
Past Tense of Say: Said
Say is an irregular verb. The past and the past participle are the same word: said. Notice the spelling: said is not sayed.
Base
say
Past
said
Past participle
said
Third person: says · -ing form: saying
ABB: form patternExamples
Base
Please say your name slowly.
Say is the base form in a polite request.
Past
She said goodbye and left.
Said is the past form; it is the only past form of say.
Past
He said the shop was closed.
Said often introduces what someone told us.
Past participle
I have said sorry many times.
After have, the participle is also said.
Past participle
They have said yes to the plan.
Have said is the present perfect.
Usage notes
Pronunciation
Said is pronounced /sɛd/ and rhymes with bed. Says is pronounced /sɛz/, with the same vowel as said (not as in say). It does not rhyme with days.
Say or tell?
Say is followed by the words themselves: She said hello. Tell is followed by a person: She told me the news. Do not say say me: use tell me.
Common mistakes
He sayed hello.
He said hello.
Say is irregular: the past is said, never sayed.
She said me the answer.
She told me the answer.
Say is not followed directly by a person. Use tell me.
He say it is late.
He says it is late.
With he, she and it, the present form is says.
Practise this verb
0/8
Choose the right form
Choose the form that completes each English sentence.
1.Every morning my mom ___ good morning to me.
2.Yesterday the teacher ___ we can go home early.
3.I have ___ no to the offer.
4.Could you ___ that again, please?
Write the missing form
Type the correct form of say in each sentence.
Correct the mistake
Rewrite the English sentence with the correct verb form.
8.Choose the mistake in this sentence.
Answer key
1. Every morning my mom ___ good morning to me.
Answer: says
Every morning is a present habit and mom takes says.
2. Yesterday the teacher ___ we can go home early.
Answer: said
Yesterday is past, so use said.
3. I have ___ no to the offer.
Answer: said
After have, use the participle said.
4. Could you ___ that again, please?
Answer: say
After could, the verb stays in the base form say.
5. She has ___ nothing all day.
Answer: said
Have plus the past participle is has said.
6. The guide ___ we can take photos.
Answer: said
The past form is said.
7. He ___ the test is easy.
Answer: says
With he in the present, use says.
8. He sayed he was tired.
Answer: He said he was tired.
The past form is said, not sayed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of say?
The past tense of say is said: She said hello to everyone.
What is the past participle of say?
The past participle of say is also said: I have said it before.
How do you pronounce said?
Said is pronounced /sɛd/, like bed. It does not sound like the verb say.