With the advent of the internet, communication has become easier than ever. You can connect with people from all over the world and share your thoughts and ideas in seconds. However, this new level of communication has also introduced new challenges.
In particular, English writing can be challenging to comprehend for some people who are not native speakers. The language used in written English often differs from how it is used in speech. So much so that websites are dedicated to helping non-native speakers understand more about written English.
The main difference between “it reads” and “it says” is that the former can be passive, while the latter is active. Moreover, “it reads” is used for formal settings, while, “it says” is used mainly in casual settings.
Let’s indulge in the details of these two phrases and distinguish their differences.
What Is Meant By “It Reads?”
The phrase “it reads” refers to how a document is written, looks, and its overall tone.
It can also refer to how the reader perceives an author’s writing style. In addition, “it reads” can mean that a piece of writing is well-written and understandable or doesn’t read like a professional.
The phrase “it reads” is often used in a piece that doesn’t sound like an expert would write. For example: “This paper reads like it was written by someone who didn’t know what they were talking about.”
Moreover, the phrase “it reads” is a way to describe how something feels or sounds. It’s a way of saying something is easy to understand or sounds good.
For example:
“That book was so boring! I couldn’t finish it.”
“It reads like it was written by a robot.”
What Is Meant By “It Says?”
“It says” is a phrase used to refer to the content of a book, article, or other work. It’s often used when someone wants to ensure they have interpreted something correctly.
“It says” is also used to indicate that a person has read or heard something and disagrees with it.
For example, if a newspaper article said that people who live in the city are less healthy than people who live in the country, and then someone else disagreed with this statement, they might say: “It says that in the newspaper, but I think it’s the opposite.”
Apart from that, “it says” is frequently used to indicate that a person has read or heard something and believes it to be true.
For example, if a friend told you that they had seen a ghost at their grandparents’ house, and then you believed them because you knew they wouldn’t lie to you about something like that, you might say: “It says in this book about ghosts that when people see ghosts for real, there’s usually something wrong with their eyesight.”
Know The Difference
The difference between “it says” and “it reads” is that the first phrase is used to describe what a person says, while the second phrase is used to describe what a person writes.
- It says:
When you say “it says,” you are talking about the literal meaning of words in a sentence. It is typically used when talking about what someone has said or written, but it can also be used when describing your opinion.
- It reads:
When you say “it reads,” you are referring to how something sounds or feels when read aloud in a particular way. This phrase can be used when describing writing another person has produced, but it can also be used when describing something you have written yourself.
Apart from these, a few other differences include:
- “It says” means an authority or source of information is making the statement, while “it reads” means an individual or group is making it.
- “It says” is used in a sentence when quoting someone else, while “it reads” is used when you repeat or paraphrase what someone else said.
- When you use “it says,” it’s possible to identify the source of the quote; with “it reads,” it’s not always clear who said what.
Here is a table of differences between these phrases.
| It says | It reads |
| When you say “it reads,” you describe how something feels or sounds. | It shows the tone of the literature. |
| When you say “it reads,” you describe how something feels or sounds. | It is used to quote someone’s else words. |
| It helps you to identify the source of the quotation or literature. | It’s used to paraphrase someone’s else quotation. |
| It’s not easy to identify the source of the quotation while using this phrase. | When you say “it reads,” you describe how something feels or sounds. |
Where Do You Use The Words “Read” And “Reads?”
The word “read” is usually used when referring to reading. For example, “I read a book.” The term “reads” is usually used when referring to the person who reads or a group of people who read. For example, “She reads a lot.”
Generally, the verb “read” is used when the subject is plural while “reads” is used when the subject is singular.
Moreover, the word “read” is the main verb in your sentence. It’s the action that you’re describing. The term “reads” is an object complement. It tells us what the subject of your sentence has done.
Is It Correct To Say, “Give It A Read”?
It’s correct to say, “Give it a read.”
The phrase “give it a read” refers to reading something and can be used in various contexts, but it’s usually used when you want someone to read something you’ve written.
Examples:
- “Hey, could you give this article a read?”
- “Here are the notes for your speech—give them a read before we start.”
Does “Read” Have Two Meanings?
“Read” can have two meanings. It can mean to perceive with the eyes, as in, “I read a book last week.” It can also mean interpreting or understanding something, as in “I read your mind.”
Is “Reads” Singular Or Plural?
The word “reads” is a verb that can be used in singular and plural forms. While this may seem confusing, it is pretty simple.
- When talking about one person reading something, use the singular form:
“John reads every day.”
- If referring to multiple people reading something, use the plural form:
“John and Bob read daily.”
What Is The Past Tense Of “Read?”
The past tense of “read” is “read” as in “I read the book yesterday.”
What Is The Past Tense Of “Say?”
The word “said” is the past tense of the verb “say.”
What Part Of Speech Are The Words “Read” And “Say?”
The words “read” and “say” are both verbs.
Verbs are types of words that describe an action or state and can also indicate the relationship between two things. Verbs are often used to describe the subject of the sentence, who or what is performing the action described by the verb.
You can also learn more about verbs through this video clip.
Final Thoughts
- The difference between “it says” and “it reads” is that the first word implies that the reader is interpreting what they have read, while the latter indicates that they have read it.
- “It says” is a phrase that indicates that the source of information is a person or thing.
- “It reads” is a phrase that indicates that the source of information consists of words on a page.