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If you've ever typed "he sais" and paused to wonder whether it looks right, you're not alone. It's one of those spelling mistakes that seems surprisingly believable because it resembles real words in other languages and even matches the way many people expect the word to sound.

The truth, however, is simple: says is the correct English verb, while sais is not. Once you understand why, you'll never confuse the two again.

The Short Answer

Says is the only correct spelling when using the third-person singular form of the verb say. It is used with subjects such as he, she, it, or any singular noun.

Examples:

He says he's ready.
My teacher says homework is due tomorrow.
The notice says the store opens at 9 a.m.

Sais is not an English verb. The only time it appears in English is as the plural of sai, the traditional three-pronged martial arts weapon. Outside that very specific meaning, writing sais instead of says is simply a spelling mistake.

Why "Says" Doesn't Sound Like It Looks

One reason people write sais is because says has an unusual pronunciation.

Most words ending in -ays rhyme with days, plays, or rays. However, says is different. It is pronounced "sez."

English spelling has preserved the older written form even though pronunciation changed over time. As a result, the word doesn't sound the way many learners expect.

Because people often spell words the way they hear them, it's easy to see why someone might mistakenly type sais after hearing the pronunciation "sez."

Where "Sais" Comes From

The spelling sais isn't completely random.

In French, many verb forms end with -ais, making the spelling look perfectly natural to French speakers or anyone familiar with the language. Someone switching between French and English may accidentally carry that spelling pattern into English.

Another reason the mistake survives is that many spell checkers don't always flag sais. Since it exists as a legitimate word in other contexts, software may assume it was intentional, allowing the typo to slip through unnoticed.

The Grammar Rule You Need

The verb say follows the standard English rule for present-tense verbs.

Subject   Correct Form
I   say
You   say
He   says
She   says
It   says
We   say
They   say

Whenever the subject is third-person singular, add -s to the verb.

Correct examples:

She says hello.
The article says the meeting starts at noon.
My brother says he'll be late.

For all other subjects, use the base form say.

I say what I mean.
We say thank you.
They say it's going to rain.
Common Mistakes Besides "Sais"

Once you've learned that says is correct, there are still a few errors to watch for.

1. Mixing Verb Tenses

Incorrect:

He says he was tired and said he needs rest.

Correct:

He says he's tired and needs rest.

Or:

He said he was tired and needed rest.

Choose one tense and keep it consistent throughout the sentence.

2. Adding an Extra "S"

When using does or doesn't, the main verb returns to its base form.

Incorrect:

Does she says anything?
He doesn't says much.

Correct:

Does she say anything?
He doesn't say much.

The -s belongs to does, not to say.

An Easy Trick to Remember

Whenever you're unsure whether to use say or says, replace the subject with she.

If the sentence naturally becomes "she says," then says is the correct choice.

For example:

The manager says we'll leave early.
My phone says the battery is low.

Another helpful reminder is pronunciation. Remember that says rhymes with fez. Once you associate the word with that sound, the correct spelling becomes much easier to remember.

Why This Tiny Word Matters

The verb says appears constantly in everyday English. It's used in conversations, books, emails, news articles, academic writing, and business communication.

Examples include:

The report says...
My friend says...
The instructions say...
The sign says...

Because the word appears so often, even a small spelling mistake like sais becomes noticeable. While one typo isn't a disaster, repeating it can make your writing appear less polished and less professional.

Learning this distinction also strengthens your understanding of subject-verb agreement, helping you avoid similar mistakes with verbs like runs, walks, writes, and thinks.

The Bottom Line

The answer is straightforward:

Says is the only correct spelling for the third-person singular present tense of say.
Sais is not an English verb. It exists only as the plural of the martial arts weapon sai.
Says is pronounced "sez," which explains why many people accidentally misspell it.
If you're ever uncertain, replace the subject with she. If "she says" sounds right, you've found the correct spelling.