If you've ever paused while typing "he sais" and wondered whether it looked right, you're not alone. This is a surprisingly common spelling mistake, but the truth is that there isn't actually a choice between two English spellings. Says is the correct English word, while sais has an entirely different meaning and should almost never be used as a verb.

Understanding the difference is simple once you know where the confusion comes from.

The Short Answer

Says is the correct spelling.

It is the third-person singular present tense of the verb say and is used with singular subjects such as he, she, it, or any singular noun.

Examples:

• He says he'll arrive early.
• My teacher says practice makes perfect.
• The notice says the office opens at 9 a.m.

On the other hand, sais is not an English verb. In English, it is only the plural form of sai, a traditional three-pronged martial arts weapon. If you're writing about speaking, writing sais is simply a spelling mistake.

Why Is "Says" So Difficult to Spell?

Much of the confusion comes from pronunciation.

Although says looks like it should rhyme with plays or days, it doesn't. Instead, it is pronounced "sez."

English pronunciation has changed significantly over the centuries, but many spellings remained the same. As a result, says kept its traditional spelling even though its pronunciation evolved.

Because people often spell words the way they hear them, it's easy to see why someone might accidentally type sais instead.

What Does "Sais" Actually Mean?

Outside the common spelling mistake, sais has two legitimate meanings.

The first is the plural of sai, the traditional Okinawan martial arts weapon.

The second comes from French. In French, sais appears in verb conjugations, such as je sais, which means "I know." Because it is a real French word, some spell-checkers don't flag it as an error when it accidentally appears in English writing.

This makes the mistake even easier to overlook.

The Grammar Rule Behind "Says"

The rule is straightforward.

When say is used in the present tense with a third-person singular subject, it changes to says.

Examples:

• She says the meeting starts at ten.
• My brother says he'll help.
• The guide says photography is allowed.

Notice that only singular third-person subjects take says.

Common Mistakes People Make

Even after learning that sais is incorrect, writers often make a few other mistakes with say and says.

1. Using "Sais" Instead of "Says"

Incorrect:

• He sais he is ready.

Correct:

• He says he is ready.

2. Using "Says" After "Does"

When a sentence already uses does or doesn't, the main verb returns to its base form.

Incorrect:

• Does she says anything?

Correct:

• Does she say anything?

Similarly:

• She doesn't say much.
• Does your brother say that often?

3. Mixing Verb Tenses

Keep the tense consistent throughout the sentence.

Incorrect:

• He says he was tired and said he needs sleep.

Correct:

• He says he is tired and needs sleep.

Or:

• He said he was tired and needed sleep.

A Simple Trick to Remember

Whenever you're unsure, replace the subject with she.

If the sentence sounds natural as "she says," then says is the correct choice.

For example:

• The article says...
• My friend says...
• The sign says...

If you're using I, you, we, or they, use say instead.

Another helpful memory trick is pronunciation.

Remember that says sounds like "sez." Even though the spelling looks unusual, the correct written form is always says.

Why This Small Difference Matters

The word says appears constantly in everyday English. You'll find it in emails, books, news articles, business reports, academic papers, and everyday conversations.

Because it's used so frequently, spelling it incorrectly can make your writing appear less polished than it really is. Replacing sais with says is a small correction that immediately improves clarity and professionalism.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is "sais" ever correct?

Yes, but only in specific situations. It is either the plural of sai, the martial arts weapon, or a French word. It should not be used as the English verb meaning says.

Is "he sais" correct?

No. The correct phrase is he says.

Why is "says" pronounced "sez"?

English pronunciation has changed over time while many spellings remained unchanged. As a result, says is pronounced "sez" even though it is spelled with ay.

Can spell-check miss this mistake?

Yes. Since sais is a legitimate word in other contexts, some spell-checkers may not identify it as an English spelling error.

The Bottom Line

When comparing sais vs says, only says is correct as the present-tense form of the verb say. While sais exists in French and as the plural of the martial arts weapon sai, it is not an English verb.

Remember these key points:

• Says is the correct spelling.
• Use says with he, she, it, and singular nouns.
• Use say with I, you, we, and they.
• Sais should never replace says in English writing.
• Remember that says is pronounced "sez," even though it is spelled differently.

Once you understand this simple rule, you'll never hesitate between sais and says again.