Collocation is a group of words or phrases that usually go together and is spoken by native speakers in their daily conversations. For example, a native English speaker will say “make friends” not “create friends.” If you use collocation in your English communication, you will sound more natural and fluent in English because you are using the same language as native speakers do. So, try to learn as many collocations as possible! 

In today’s paper, I am going to tell you 10 common collocations with the word “say” in 10 different situations.

1. “Honestly say...” is often used with the modal “can” and means “I’m telling the truth when I say that…”. 

For example: I can honestly say this has been a fabulous evening!

                         I can honestly say I really tried my best.

                          We can honestly say this has been the best experience.

                         Can you honestly say you still love him?

2. “I just wanted to say…”. This is a polite way to say that you would like to say something.

Here are some good examples:

                 I just wanted to say that I really appreciate your help.

                 I just wanted to say thanks for all your help and support.

                 I just wanted to say how much I appreciate your support.

                 I just wanted to say how much fun it has been.

3. “It’s fair to say”. This collocation means something is probably true.

Let’s see the following examples:

                  It is fair to say that most people love going on vacation.

                  It is fair to say that no one likes paying taxes.

                  It is fair to say that they do not get on well with each other.

4. “I have nothing to say…”. If you say “I have nothing to say”, you might be choosing not to talk to someone or mention something embarrassing or private or on a scandal. This collocation is often heard by some famous people talking to media or journalists. 

For example:

                    I have nothing to say to you.

                    I have nothing to say on this matter. I am staying out of it.

                    I have nothing to say at this time.

                    She has nothing to say to the man who betrayed her.

5. “Say something” means you need to stand up and speak out about an issue or a problem.

For example:

                    You need to say something if you know someone is doing the wrong thing at work.

                    She has important information about the wanted. She should say something.

6. “Have something to say”. This collocation’s meaning may be varied depending on situations. Let us consider the following sentence: “ Oh dear, when she sees this mess, she is going to have something to say”. “have something to say” in this situation means get angry, she is going to be mad and even yell about it.
7. “say something about you/us/him/her…” means reflecting or showing indirectly what someone or something is like.

For example: 

                              The career you choose says something about you.

                               Your home says something about you.

8. & 9. “Needless to say” and “ It goes without saying that”. These collocations are two sayings and mean “obviously” or “of course”.

For example:

               Needless to say, I forgave her and we are still really close friends.

                She is afraid of blood, needless to say, she will not become a doctor.

                She is my best friend, it goes without saying that she will be the maid of honor at my wedding

               It goes without saying that you can call me any time.

10. “If you can not say anything nice, do not say anything at all” because wise words keep us all out of trouble, even create good impression on the listeners.