Say

Pronunciation

present tense: say: /seɪ/, rhymes with the letter A, & the words way, and weigh

says: /sez/, rhymes with fez

past tense & past participle: said, /sed/, rhymes with bed

Semantics

The fourth most common verb in English (after the auxiliaries be, have, & do), it means speak or assert. (dire in French).

Syntax

Syntax requires a subject (S) and a direct object (COD), i.e. what is said. (ce qui est dit, ou ce qu'on dit) An optional indirect object (COI) (to whom it was said) is introduced with the operator/preposition "to".

• Boris didn't say anything.
• Boris didn't say anything to Lily.