What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
saw
Example
He sawed the wood into small pieces. [saw: verb]
Example
I saw a movie last night. [saw: past tense]
Example
I saw the accident happen right in front of me. [saw: witnessed]
saying
Example
The saying 'time is money' means that time should be used wisely. [saying: noun]
Example
She was saying how much she enjoyed the concert. [saying: verb]
Example
He kept repeating the same saying over and over again. [saying: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Saw is more commonly used than saying in everyday language. Saw is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while saying is less common and refers to a specific type of communication.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between saw and saying?
Both saw and saying can be used in both formal and informal settings. However, saw is more commonly used in technical or manual contexts, which may make it more appropriate for formal settings.