collocations.org

Collocations for say - verb

ADV.

aloud, out loud | loudly | gently, quietly, softly | gruffly, huskily, thickly | at once | at last, at length, finally | again, repeatedly | simply
‘I am home, ’ he said simply.
hastily, hurriedly, promptly, quickly | slowly | steadily | abruptly, suddenly | briskly, curtly, shortly, tersely | angrily, bitterly, crossly, fiercely, furiously, sharply
‘I don''t know,’ she said crossly.
bluntly, flatly | firmly | harshly, sternly | brightly, cheerfully, happily | miserably, sadly | gravely, grimly, seriously, solemnly | airily, casually, easily, lightly, smoothly
‘There''s nothing wrong with him, ’ she said airily.
stiffly, tightly | proudly | carefully, thoughtfully | conversationally | calmly, evenly, mildly | patiently | impatiently | ungraciously | politely | soothingly | apologetically | awkwardly, lamely | drily, tartly | coldly, coolly, icily | breathlessly | absently, vaguely | honestly, truthfully
Can you honestly say you''re sorry?

VERB + SAY

be about to, be going to
I''ve forgotten what I was going to say.
hasten to | long to, want to
I want to say how much we have all enjoyed this evening.
hate to
I hate to say it, but I think Stephen may be right.
dare (to)
I dared not say a word about it to anyone.
suffice (it) to
Suffice it to say, I refused to get involved.
be fair to
It is fair to say a considerable amount of effort went into the project.
be untrue to | have nothing to, have something to
Be quiet, I have something to say.
hear sb, overhear sb
I heard him say they were leaving tomorrow.

PREP.

about
Do you have anything to say about this?
to
That''s not what he said to me.

PHRASES

be quoted as saying sth
The minister was quoted as saying that the government would do whatever was necessary to restore order.
a thing to say
That was a very cruel thing to say.

Report an error or submit a comment/suggestion on say