Sais vs Says: The Real Difference Explained Clearly

When writing, it’s easy to confuse sais and says, especially in English sentences where the sound can seem identical. Many people, from students to writers, often make spelling mistakes because the words look too close and can fool the eyes. Even spellcheck doesn’t always catch these errors, so it’s important to check carefully. Understanding the difference and following simple rules can help you avoid repeating the mistake and keep your writing clear, professional, and easy to read.

In real-world usage, sais is rarely seen in everyday English outside formal or literary contexts, while says is the third-person singular present tense verb of say, often used when he, she, or it expresses something verbally. Knowing which word to choose can make a huge difference in your sentences and ensures clarity in communication. Even when writing quickly or typing fast, you can rely on memory tricks or rules to ensure your grammar and pronunciation match the meaning.

Many examples in articles, blogs, and student essays show how confusion between sais and says leads to misinterpretation. By looking closely at how each word is used, practicing, and learning the pronounced forms, you can feel confident about your English, trust your judgment, and choose the correct form every time. Whether in social posts, academic writing, or professional articles, following these practical rules keeps your writing reasonable, accurate, and polished.

Why “Sais” vs “Says” Confuses So Many Writers

At first glance, the confusion feels harmless. After all, both words are pronounced the same way: sez. But English spelling doesn’t always follow sound, and that’s where problems begin.

Several factors fuel this mix-up:

• English borrows heavily from other languages, especially French
• Many writers rely on sound instead of spelling
• Multilingual keyboards and autocorrect introduce silent errors
• AI-generated text sometimes mirrors common human mistakes

Think of it like twins wearing identical outfits. If you glance quickly, you assume they’re the same person. Only closer inspection reveals the truth.

Here’s the truth upfront:
“Says” is correct in English. “Sais” is not.

Everything else in this article explains why that rule never changes.

What “Says” Means in Modern English

Says is a verb.
More specifically, it’s the third-person singular present tense of the verb say.

You use says when the subject is singular, such as:

• He
• She
• It
• A person’s name
• Any singular noun

Definition of “Says”

Says means to express something verbally or in written form.
It reports speech, opinions, instructions, beliefs, or statements.

Examples feel natural because they are natural:

• She says the meeting starts at noon
• The doctor says rest speeds recovery
• John says he’ll handle the project

Notice how says connects a subject to spoken or reported information. That role never changes.

Grammatical Role of “Says”

From a grammar standpoint, says functions as:

• A main verb
• A reporting verb
• A present-tense indicator

It often introduces:

• Quoted speech
• Indirect speech
• Opinions or facts

Once you see it this way, says feels anchored in English structure.

What “Sais” Actually Is (And Why It’s Wrong in English)

Here’s where many writers get surprised.

Sais is not an English word.

It never has been. It never will be.

So What Is “Sais”?

Sais is a French verb form.
It comes from savoir, which means to know in French.

In French grammar, sais means I know or you know, depending on context.

Example in French:

• Je sais la réponse.
  (I know the answer.)

That meaning has nothing to do with saying something aloud.

Why “Sais” Sneaks Into English Writing

Despite being incorrect, sais shows up often due to:

• Visual similarity to says
• Shared pronunciation
• Bilingual influence
• Faulty autocorrect suggestions

Spellcheck sometimes recognizes sais as a valid word—in French—so it doesn’t flag it as an error. That’s how the mistake slips through unnoticed.

Sais vs Says: Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Says	Sais
Language	English	French
Part of Speech	Verb	Verb
Meaning	Expresses speech	Means “know”
Correct in English	Yes	No
Common Mistake	Rare	Very common
Pronunciation	sez	sez

This table alone solves the confusion for most writers.

If the sentence is English, says is the only correct choice.

How to Use “Says” Correctly in a Sentence

Using says correctly is simple once you focus on the subject and tense.

Basic Structure

Subject + says + information

Examples:

• She says the plan works
• The manager says deadlines matter
• The sign says no parking

Each sentence follows the same clean pattern.

Using “Says” in Questions

Questions still keep the same verb form:

• What does she say?
• Who says this rule applies?

Notice that says stays intact when the subject is singular.

Using “Says” in Dialogue

In storytelling, says works as a dialogue tag:

• “We should leave early,” he says.
• “That’s not accurate,” she says calmly.

Dialogue feels natural when the verb blends into the sentence without drawing attention.

Examples of “Says” in Real-World Contexts

Seeing says in action across different fields builds confidence.

Academic Writing

• The study says results improve with practice
• The author says this theory lacks evidence

Journalism

• The report says inflation slowed last quarter
• The spokesperson says negotiations continue

Everyday Conversation

• Mom says dinner’s ready
• He says traffic was terrible

In every case, says performs the same job clearly and correctly.

Why “Sais” Keeps Showing Up in English Writing

If sais is wrong, why does it appear so often?

The answer lies in modern writing habits.

Multilingual Influence

Writers who know French—or have studied it briefly—sometimes carry over spelling patterns unconsciously. The brain recognizes sais as familiar and assumes it fits.

Autocorrect and AI Errors

Some keyboards and writing tools suggest sais because it exists in other dictionaries. The software doesn’t always consider language context.

Phonetic Writing Habits

Many writers spell words the way they sound. Since says doesn’t look how it sounds, the temptation to “fix” it leads straight to sais.

Common Mistakes Writers Make

Even skilled writers stumble here. These mistakes explain why.

Assuming “Sais” Is an Alternate Spelling

English rarely allows alternate spellings for basic verbs. Says has no variants. Any deviation is wrong.

Mixing French Grammar Into English Sentences

A sentence doesn’t become bilingual just because a word looks elegant. English grammar rules still apply.

Incorrect:

• She sais the truth

Correct:

• She says the truth

Ignoring Subject-Verb Agreement

Some writers mistakenly think say and says are interchangeable.

They’re not.

• I say
• You say
• He says

That final s matters.

Contexts Where Writers Think “Sais” Might Be Correct

Context never changes spelling rules, but confusion persists.

Direct Speech

Quotation marks don’t excuse incorrect spelling.

Wrong:

• “She sais it’s fine.”

Right:

• “She says it’s fine.”

Reported Speech

Indirect speech follows the same rule.

• He says he’s busy
• She says the deal failed

Literary or Historical Writing

Even in old-fashioned or poetic writing, sais remains incorrect in English. Archaic tone doesn’t rewrite grammar.

Are There Any Exceptions at All?

Short answer: no.

There are zero English contexts where sais replaces says.

The only time sais is correct is when the sentence is written entirely in French.

That’s it. No loopholes. No stylistic flexibility.

Quick Memory Tricks to Never Confuse Them Again

A simple trick locks this rule into memory.

The Sound Trap Rule

If it sounds like sez, your brain wants options. Ignore the sound. Focus on meaning.

• Talking? Use says
• Knowing? That’s French—sais

The English “S” Reminder

English third-person verbs often end with s.

• Runs
• Eats
• Says

That final s is your anchor.

Case Study: How One Letter Changes Credibility

A content editor reviewed two nearly identical blog posts.

Post A used says correctly throughout.
Post B mistakenly used sais three times.

Readers flagged Post B as “unprofessional” and “AI-written” within hours. Engagement dropped. Trust eroded.

One letter changed perception completely.

That’s the real cost of this error.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between sais and says is essential for clear, professional, and accurate writing. While sais is rarely used outside formal or literary contexts, says is the correct third-person singular present tense verb of say. Paying attention to spelling, pronunciation, and proper usage ensures your sentences convey the right meaning and maintain clarity. By practicing and using memory tricks, you can confidently avoid mistakes, enhance communication, and produce polished content for academic, social, and professional purposes.

FAQs

Q1. What is the difference between sais and says?

Sais is rarely used and mostly appears in formal or literary contexts, while says is the third-person singular present tense verb of say, used in everyday English.

Q2. When should I use says instead of sais?

Use says whenever he, she, or it expresses something verbally in a sentence. Sais is uncommon and usually only appears in literary or historical texts.

Q3. Are sais and says pronounced the same?

Yes, the pronunciation of sais and says is often identical, which is why they are easy to confuse in writing.

Q4. Can using sais instead of says be considered a spelling mistake?

Yes, using sais in modern writing outside its rare literary context is generally considered a misspelling.

Q5. How can I avoid confusing sais and says?

Pay attention to context, practice writing examples, and use memory tricks to ensure correct grammar, spelling, and pronunciation in your sentences.