What’s the past tense of “say”?
Is it say or said? Understanding the correct past tense of the verb say is fundamental to clear communication. Let’s break down the forms, usage, and common mistakes with say and said.
Present simple: What did you say?
Past participle (in the past perfect): She had already said goodbye.
Incorrect: He sayed he would be late.
Forms of the verb “say”
The verb say means “to utter words so as to convey information, an opinion, a feeling or intention, or a question.” It’s an irregular verb, which means its past tense and past participle forms are not created by simply adding -ed.
| Present | Past | Future | |
|---|---|---|---|
| simple | I say | I said | I will say |
| continuous | I am saying | I was saying | I will be saying |
| perfect | I have said | I had said | I will have said |
| perfect continuous | I have been saying | I had been saying | I will have been saying |
Is “say” a regular or irregular verb?
Say is an irregular verb. Its past tense and past participle form is said, not sayed. Here’s a chart of similar irregular verbs:
| Base Verb | Past Tense | Past Participle |
|---|---|---|
| say | said | said |
| pay | paid | paid |
| lay | laid | laid |
Examples of “say” and “said” in sentences
| Verb form | Examples: say/said |
|---|---|
| Present (say/saying/says) |
I always say what I mean. She says she will be here soon. Please say hello to your mother for me. |
| Past simple (said) |
He said he was too tired to go out. They said it was the best movie they had ever seen. I said nothing when he asked me. |
| Past participle (used in perfect/progressive tenses) |
Everything has already been said. I have said all I am going to say on the matter. It is easier said than done. |
Common phrases with “say”
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Needless to say | As you would expect; obviously (“Needless to say, he was very disappointed.”) |
| That is to say | In other words; more to the point (“He’s a good student, that is to say, he is very diligent.”) |
| Have your say | To state your opinion (“Everyone will have a chance to have their say.”) |
| Goes without saying | To be obvious (“It goes without saying that you’ll be paid for the extra hours.”) |
FAQs
What is the past tense of “say”?
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Is “sayed” ever correct?
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Is “say” a regular verb?
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How do you use “said” as a past participle?
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Sources
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“Say, V. (1) & Int.” Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford UP, June 2025, https://doi.org/10.1093/OED/2663749280.
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Merriam-Webster, “say.”
Yash, D. "How to Use Say vs. Said (Explanation, Examples & Quiz)." Grammarflex, Aug 7, 2025, https://grammarflex.com/say-vs-said/.
