I can not stress the utmost importance of learning new vocabulary through full phrases and collocations, with that being said-
With many thanks to the Macmillan Dictionary Group- I present to you, some wonderfully useful phrases - to help bolster your English speaking skills!
Enjoy reading and take time to make use of the phrases when you attend classes/ chat with people in ''real-time.'' :
PHRASES with ''say.''
someone can't say (something) SPOKEN
1a polite way of saying that you do not know something
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Ways of saying that you do not know or understand: not that I know of, don’t ask me, your guess is as good as mine, (that’s a) good question, I couldn’t tell you, how should/do I know?, not for the life of me, what is someone on about?, who can say?...
2a polite way of saying that you do not want to give information to someone
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Polite words and expressions: hope, seem, respectfully, perhaps, I’d/we’d be delighted, no disrespect (to), do you mind?, I took the liberty of doing something, excuse me...
3.used for saying that you do not have a particular opinion
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Ways of saying that you do not know or understand: not that I know of, don’t ask me, your guess is as good as mine, (that’s a) good question, I couldn’t tell you, how should/do I know?, not for the life of me, what is someone on about?, who can say?...
can't say fairer than that BRITISH INFORMAL
used for saying that an offer is the best that can be expected
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Fair and reasonable: fair, reasonable, natural, independent, legitimate, just, decent, accepted, unbiased, fair-minded...
go without saying (that)
to be completely obvious or true
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
To be, or to become obvious or noticeable: stand out, jump out at, stick out, stare someone in the face, stand out in a crowd, dominate, get noticed, leap off the page, shine through, pervade... more
have something to say to someone/about something
to be angry with someone or about something
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
To be, or to become angry or annoyed: lose your temper (with), go mad, see red, lose it, fly into a temper/rage, hackles, snap, lose your cool, go off the deep end, hold against...
have something/a lot/nothing etc to say for yourself
to be fairly/very/not at all keen to talk, especially about yourself and your reasons for doing something
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Words used to describe writing or speech style: articulate, chatty, circuitous, clean, conversational, crisp, declamatory, diffuse, discursive, economical...
having said that SPOKEN
used for adding an opinion that seems to be the opposite of what you have just said, although you think both are true
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Ways of giving your opinion: your two cents, perhaps, frankly, personally, as/so far as I’m concerned, to my way of thinking, to my way of thinking, if you want my advice/opinion, if you ask me, to my mind...
I must say (that)
used for emphasizing a statement
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Ways of emphasizing what you are saying: ach, actively, actual, any, awful, awfully, bloody, e’en, e’er, entirely...
I say BRITISH OLD-FASHIONED
1used for attracting someone's attention
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Expressions used for telling someone to pay attention: right, now then, hello, all right, see?, here, listen up, hey, look, just/wait a moment...
2.used for emphasizing a statement
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Ways of emphasizing what you are saying: ach, actively, actual, any, awful, awfully, bloody, e’en, e’er, entirely...
3.used for expressing surprise, shock, anger etc
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Ways of emphasizing when you are annoyed or angry: hell, blast, for heaven’s sake/sakes, for pity’s sake, for crying out loud, what’s that supposed to mean?, what’s the big idea?, give me strength, give me a break, constant... more
I wouldn't say no (to something) SPOKEN
used for admitting that you would like something, especially something that has been offered to you
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Willing to do or accept something: willing, ready, interested, delighted, inclined, amenable, obliging, yielding, pleased/only too pleased to do something, prepared to do something...
if I may say (so) SPOKEN FORMAL
used for introducing a personal comment when you know that the person you are speaking to may find this offensive
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Polite words and expressions: hope, seem, respectfully, perhaps, I’d/we’d be delighted, no disrespect (to), do you mind?, I took the liberty of doing something, excuse me...
I'll say OLD-FASHIONED
used for expressing agreement, or for saying yes in a very definite way
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Ways of saying yes: yes, definitely, of course, sure, naturally, that’s right, I don’t mind if I do, by all means, you bet, you’re on... more
(just) say the word SPOKEN
used for telling someone that you are ready to do something for them as soon as they ask
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Obedience and cooperation: adherence, complaisance, compliance, cooperation, give-and-take, integrity, legalism, obedience, observance, observation...
not to say
used for adding a description that emphasizes the one that you have just used
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Ways of adding extra information: namely, incidentally, furthermore, anyhow, anyway, not to mention, even so, the fact that, in any case, by the way...
say it all
used for saying that something shows very clearly what someone's feelings are or what a particular situation is really like
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
To have a meaning: mean, intend, say, connote, denote, cohere, suggest, record, fall into place...
say a lot/very little etc for
to show that someone or something has a lot/very little etc of a particular quality
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
To say that something has a particular quality or feature: rate, term, attribute to, represent, brand, designate, peg, say a lot/very little etc for, credit with...
say no more SPOKEN
used for saying that you understand the hidden meaning of something and do not need any more details
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Ways of saying that you know, understand or agree: of course, OK, all right, fair enough, I know, if you like, I see, I know what you mean, I see/take your point, I don’t blame you/him/her/them...
say this/that for someone
used for admitting that someone who you do not approve of has a good quality
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Words used to describe someone's personality: adaptive, addictive, babyish, badass, born, classy, clingy, constitutionally, flawed, flexible... more
say something to yourself
to have something in your mind, especially something that you are trying to make yourself believe is true
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
To have an opinion or opinions: think, believe in, say, consider, hold, incline, reckon, have a mind of your own, know best, view...
say what you like (about) SPOKEN
used for mentioning a good quality of someone or something that is not liked or approved of by other people
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Ways of describing something in a general way: generally, as a whole, by definition, by and large, overall, together, broadly/generally speaking, something of the kind, in general, when all is said and done...
say when SPOKEN
used for telling someone to tell you when you have given them enough of something, especially food or drink
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Brewing, storing and serving drinks: brew, brewer, brewery, draught, freshen, head, mash, microbrewery, pour out, stir... more
say your piece
to say what you really think about something
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
To give your opinion: express, comment, speak out, articulate, pronounce on, sound off, air, formulate, put forward, run by...
shall I/we say SPOKEN FORMAL
used for making a statement or criticism seem less severe or offensive
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Ways of making or receiving criticism or blame: against, charming, someone can dish it out but they can’t take it, where does someone get off doing something?, look at, mea culpa, OK, pick on someone your own size, really, would... more
that is to say FORMAL
used for explaining something that you have just said in a more exact way
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Ways of explaining or clarifying: as, because, besides, explain, i.e., inasmuch as, look at, nay, precisely, since...
that said SPOKEN
used for adding an opinion that seems to be the opposite of what you have just said, although you think both are true
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Ways of giving your opinion: your two cents, perhaps, frankly, personally, as/so far as I’m concerned, to my way of thinking, to my way of thinking, if you want my advice/opinion, if you ask me, to my mind...
that's/it's easier said than done
used for telling someone that what they are advising you to do is not easy to achieve
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Difficult to do and involving a lot of effort: difficult, hard, tough, demanding, challenging, arduous, taxing, gruelling, complicated, be an effort...
that's not saying much
used for emphasizing that something is not very unusual, surprising, or impressive
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Ways of saying that you are not surprised: of course, sure enough, as you might expect/imagine, I thought as much, it/that figures, anyway, that’s not saying much, what do/can you expect?, typical...
that's not to say (that)
used for adding a statement that corrects what you have just said or makes it less definite
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Ways of adding extra information: namely, incidentally, furthermore, anyhow, anyway, not to mention, even so, the fact that, in any case, by the way...
there's something/a lot/not much etc to be said for something
used for saying that there are some/many/few etc advantages in doing something
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Ways of emphasizing how good or bad something is: ultimate, unbelievable, unadulterated, conspicuous, with/without distinction, like nothing on earth, not...anything better/worse, there’s nothing better, worse, more exciting etc than, couldn’t be better/worse/nicer etc, of your life...
though/if I say it myself
used when you do not want to seem too proud of your own ability or achievement
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Humble and not proud: humble, modest, unassuming, self-effacing, unpretentious, undemanding, low-profile, self-deprecating, though/if I say it myself, modesty forbids/prevents me from doing something...
to say the least
used for saying that you could have expressed something in a much stronger way
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Ways of describing something in a general way: generally, as a whole, by definition, by and large, overall, together, broadly/generally speaking, something of the kind, in general, when all is said and done...
to say nothing of
used for adding extra information to what you have just said
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Ways of adding extra information: namely, incidentally, furthermore, anyhow, anyway, not to mention, even so, the fact that, in any case, by the way...
what do you say I/we do something? SPOKEN
used for making a suggestion
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Ways of making a suggestion: perhaps, maybe, may, might, could, how about...?, why not...?, what if...?, I/you/they etc could always, I thought (that)...
what have you got to say for yourself? SPOKEN
used for asking someone what explanation or excuse they have for their bad behaviour
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Ways of asking questions and making requests: anyway, what has/will become of, do with, what’s got into someone?, where has something/someone got to?, what (has) happened to something, how, innit, just, keep...
what someone says goes
used for emphasizing that a particular person has the power to decide what happens in a situation
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Being in charge: executive, supervisory, responsible, in charge (of), in control, on top, what someone says goes, at the helm... more
what would someone say to something? SPOKEN
used for asking whether someone would accept a suggestion
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Ways of making a suggestion: perhaps, maybe, may, might, could, how about...?, why not...?, what if...?, I/you/they etc could always, I thought (that)...
when all is said and done MAINLY SPOKEN
when you consider the whole of a situation, and not just one aspect of it
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Ways of describing something in a general way: generally, as a whole, by definition, by and large, overall, together, broadly/generally speaking, something of the kind, in general, when all is said and done...
who can say? SPOKEN
used for saying that no one knows the answer to a particular question or knows what will happen in the future
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Ways of saying that you do not know or understand: not that I know of, don’t ask me, your guess is as good as mine, (that’s a) good question, I couldn’t tell you, how should/do I know?, not for the life of me, what is someone on about?, who can say?...
who says? SPOKEN
used for expressing disagreement with a statement, opinion etc
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Expressions showing anger and used in arguments: arguably, what has something (got) to do with...?, firstly, full stop, ha, hah, my, of course, pooh, pshaw...
who's/what's to say (that)? SPOKEN
used for saying that something is not certain because no one knows exactly what has happened or what is going to happen
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Ways of saying you are not sure: perhaps, maybe, presumably, reportedly, rumour/word/legend has it that, it/that depends, not that I’m aware of, I dare say, I would think/imagine/hope etc, think...
you can say that again SPOKEN
used for expressing strong agreement with what someone has said
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Ways of agreeing with someone: OK, of course, no, yes, right, oh, done, okey-dokey, ditto, righto...
you don't say SPOKEN
1.used for saying that you are surprised by what someone has told you
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Ways of saying that you are surprised or shocked: funnily enough, you don’t say, heavens above, Well, I never (did), is that a fact?, you would not believe, of all things/people/places, now I’ve seen everything/it all, who would have thought...?, even...
2.used for saying that you are not surprised by what someone has told you
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Ways of saying that you are not surprised: of course, sure enough, as you might expect/imagine, I thought as much, it/that figures, anyway, that’s not saying much, what do/can you expect?, typical...
you said it SPOKEN
1.used for agreeing with what someone has said although you would not have said it yourself, especially when they admit they have done something bad or wrong
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Ways of agreeing with someone: OK, of course, no, yes, right, oh, done, okey-dokey, ditto, righto...
2.AMERICAN used for agreeing with a suggestion that someone has made
Synonyms or related words for this sense of say
Ways of agreeing with someone: OK, of course, no, yes, right, oh, done, okey-dokey, ditto, righto...
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