Many English learners feel confused when they see words that look similar but don’t follow normal spelling rules. One such confusing pair is “sais” vs “says.” At first glance, both look like they could be correct.
After all, English has many unusual spellings, so learners often wonder: Is “sais” just another tricky word?
The truth is simple—but also very important.
Mistakes like this happen because English pronunciation and spelling don’t always match. You might hear a word and try to spell it the way it sounds. That’s exactly why many students write “sais” instead of “says.”
Understanding this difference is essential for daily English. You use the word “says” all the time—in speaking, writing, texting, and even reading books or messages.
By the end of this lesson, everything will be clear. You will understand:
- Which word is correct
- Why the mistake happens
- How to use the correct word confidently
- Simple tricks to never forget it again
What Does “Sais” Mean?
Here’s the honest answer: “sais” is not a correct English word.
Simple Definition
“Sais” has no meaning in standard English. It is usually a spelling mistake.
When Do People Use It?
People often write “sais” when they:
- Try to spell the word “says” based on sound
- Are learning English and unsure about spelling
- Type quickly and make a typo
Grammar Rule
There is no grammar rule for “sais” because it is not part of English grammar. It does not appear in proper dictionaries as a standard word.
Example Sentences (Incorrect Usage)
These examples show how learners mistakenly use “sais”:
❌ He sais he is tired.
❌ My teacher sais this is wrong.
❌ She sais hello every morning.
❌ The sign sais “No Parking.”
❌ My mom sais dinner is ready.
❌ The doctor sais you need rest.
❌ He always sais funny things.
All of these are incorrect.
Correct Versions
✔ He says he is tired.
✔ My teacher says this is wrong.
Common Learner Confusion
The confusion comes from pronunciation. The word “says” is pronounced like:
👉 /sez/ (sounds like “sez”)
Because of this sound, learners often think:
- “sais” looks right
- “says” looks strange
But English spelling does not always follow sound patterns. This is one of those cases.
What Does “Says” Mean?
Simple Definition
“Says” is the correct form of the verb “say.”
It means: to speak, tell, or express something using words.
When to Use It
You use “says” when:
- Talking about he, she, or it
- In present simple tense
Grammar Rule
“Say” changes based on the subject:
- I say
- You say
- We say
- They say
- He says
- She says
- It says
👉 Notice: Only he/she/it uses “says”
Example Sentences
Here are clear examples:
✔ He says he is happy.
✔ She says she will come tomorrow.
✔ The teacher says this is important.
✔ My father says work hard.
✔ The sign says “Stop.”
✔ The news says it will rain.
✔ My friend says hello.
✔ The doctor says you are fine.
Common Learner Confusion
Many learners struggle with:
- The spelling: “says” doesn’t match the sound
- The extra “s” in third-person verbs
Some students write:
❌ He say
❌ She say
But the correct form is:
✔ He says
✔ She says
Difference Between Sais and Says (Detailed)
Now let’s clearly compare both.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Sais | Says |
|---|---|---|
| Is it correct? | ❌ No | ✔ Yes |
| Meaning | None | To speak or tell |
| Part of speech | Not a real word | Verb |
| Usage | Incorrect spelling | Used with he/she/it |
| Grammar role | None | Present simple verb |
| Found in dictionary | ❌ No | ✔ Yes |
Usage Difference
- “Sais” is never used in correct English.
- “Says” is used daily in speaking and writing.
Grammar Logic
English verbs change slightly depending on the subject.
Example:
- I walk
- He walks
Same rule:
- I say
- He says
So “says” follows a normal grammar pattern—even if the spelling looks unusual.
Sentence Structure Difference
Incorrect:
❌ He sais he is busy.
Correct:
✔ He says he is busy.
Meaning Comparison
- “Sais” = no meaning
- “Says” = expresses speech or communication
Grammar Rules You Must Remember
Rule #1: Use “says” with he, she, and it
✔ He says hello.
✔ She says thank you.
Rule #2: Do not change spelling based on sound
Even if it sounds like “sez,” always write:
✔ says
❌ sais
❌ sez
Rule #3: Use “say” for I, you, we, they
✔ I say what I think.
✔ They say it is good.
Rule #4: “Says” is present tense only
✔ He says he likes tea. (present)
✔ He said he liked tea. (past)
Common Mistakes Students Make
Why Mistakes Happen
- Listening more than reading
- Spelling based on sound
- Not knowing verb rules
Wrong vs Correct Examples
❌ She sais she is ready.
✔ She says she is ready.
❌ The sign sais stop.
✔ The sign says stop.
❌ He say he is tired.
✔ He says he is tired.
Easy Correction Tips
- Always remember: Only one correct spelling exists — “says.”
- Practice writing it daily
- Read English sentences often
Easy Trick to Remember the Difference
Here’s a simple trick:
👉 “He Says = S + A + Y + S”
Think of it like this:
- “He” needs an extra S
- So “say” becomes “says”
Another idea:
👉 Imagine someone speaking:
“He says something.”
Now connect:
- Speaking → says
- Not “sais”
Keep this in your mind:
👉 If it means speaking, it must be “says.”
Daily Life Examples (Very Important)
These are real-life sentences you can use every day:
✔ My mom says dinner is ready.
✔ The teacher says be quiet.
✔ He says he will call later.
✔ She says she loves music.
✔ The doctor says take medicine.
✔ My friend says meet me at 5.
✔ The sign says no entry.
✔ My boss says finish the work.
✔ The guide says follow the rules.
✔ He always says funny things.
These are simple and natural. Try speaking them aloud.
Practice Section
Choose the correct option:
- He ___ he is busy.
(sais / says) - The teacher ___ this is easy.
(sais / says) - She ___ hello every day.
(sais / says) - My father ___ work hard.
(sais / says) - The sign ___ “Stop.”
(sais / says)
Answers
- says
- says
- says
- says
- says
FAQs
1. What is the difference between sais and says?
“Sais” is not a real English word. “Says” is the correct verb form used with he, she, and it. Always use “says” in proper English.
2. Can we use “sais” in English?
No, “sais” should never be used. It is a spelling mistake and not accepted in standard English writing.
3. Why is “says” spelled this way?
English spelling is not always logical. Even though it sounds like “sez,” the correct spelling is “says.” It follows traditional spelling rules.
4. Is “says” formal or informal?
“Says” is used in both formal and informal English. It is a common everyday word.
5. Can we use “says” in questions?
Yes.
Example:
✔ What does he say?
✔ What says the sign? (less common but correct)
6. What is the past form of “says”?
The past form is “said.”
Example:
✔ He said he was tired.
Final Conclusion
Understanding the difference between sais vs says is actually very simple once you know the truth. One word is real, and the other is just a common mistake.
“Says” is a useful and important verb that you will use every day in English. It follows normal grammar rules, especially with he, she, and it.
On the other hand, “sais” is only a spelling error that comes from confusion about pronunciation.
The best way to master this is through practice. Read sentences, write your own examples, and pay attention when you see the word in books, messages, or conversations.
Over time, your brain will automatically choose the correct form. Small improvements like this make a big difference in your English.
Keep learning, keep practicing, and don’t worry about mistakes—they are part of the journey.
I am Nathan Scott, a passionate English grammar educator and content writer at GrammarVers, dedicated to helping learners improve their language skills through simple lessons, practical examples, and effective learning resources.
