Can I say "said it aloud" instead? And is "out" necessary when saying "say it out loud"? Can't I just say "say it loud"?
Native speaker’s answer
Rebecca
This is a good question. The "out loud" may seem unnecessary here because to say something implies that it will be heard. However, to "say something out loud" is an informal expression often used to mean to say something so that others can hear. It is often used in situations when someone says something out loud that others have been thinking, but not stating. In this video, the speaker has used this expression to refer to the superstition that if someone says their birthday wish out loud, it will not come true. "Aloud" can technically be used here, but it is an older form of "out loud" and not really used anymore. "Out loud" is better in this context. Ex: If you say your birthday wish out loud, it won't come true. Ex: She said out loud what everyone else had been thinking.
