0 to pronounce words or sounds, to express a thought, opinion, or suggestion, or to state a fact or instruction: --
The offer was so good that I couldn't say no (= couldn't refuse).
I've got something to say to you.
[ + to infinitive ] informal He said (= told me) to meet him here.
Did she say (= tell you) why she wasn't coming?
[ + question word ] She didn't say whether she was coming.
[ + (that) ] The doctors say (that) it will take him a few weeks to recover.
[ + speech ] "I'm going out this evening," she said.
What did they say about the house?
Do you know what she said to him?
I'm sorry, what did you say?
Ben never forgets to say "Please" and "Thank you".
[ + to be + noun/adj ] He's said to be over 100.
[ + (that) ] It is said (that) Latin is a difficult language to learn.
[ + (that) ] The look on his face said (= showed) (that) he knew what had happened.
informal What do you say we sell the car? (= What do you think about selling it?)
[ + (that) ] We've been driving all day - I say (that) we start looking for a motel now.
She is a firm leader, too firm, some might say (= some people believe that she is too firm).
"It's going to be a very hot summer." "So they say (= that is what people believe)."
[ + (that) ] People/They say (that) he's over 100.
2 to give information in writing, numbers, or signs: --
[ + to infinitive ] It says on the bottle to take three tabletsa day.
[ + (that) ] It says in the paper (that) they've found the man who did it.
My watch says three o'clock.
3 used to express surprise or pleasure, or to attract attention to what you are about to say: --
I say that these are two conditions which would have to be fulfilled in any envisaged eschatological redemption of the past.
Twenty-six of the 30 who reported sterilization said they had a family physician.
We say that is right eresolving if the right resolving condition holds, but with the uniqueness condition replaced by existence.
The net free energy change then represents the difference between several large-value terms, and no single component can be said to dominate.
One might even say that if the brain does not use localist representations then evolution has missed an excellent trick.
I would say that it is creating this environment that reinforces empirical research in so many different ways.
If we say that these values correspond to certain concepts, it must be understood that the concepts in question are purely differential.
These algal mats are said to be rich in phosphates, nitrogen, organic matter, and cation-exchange capacity.