expression

sources say

attribution to people speaking anonymously

In more detail

a phrase used to indicate that information comes from reports, documents, or other people's accounts rather than from direct personal experience or knowledge

Examples

Sources say the company will announce its new product next month.
Sources say the actor has signed a deal with a major film studio.

How to use sources say

This phrase is commonly used in journalism, news reporting, and academic writing to cite information without attributing it to a specific person or source. It creates appropriate distance when the speaker lacks direct knowledge or wants to hedge claims. It is less formal than 'according to sources' and conveys a neutral, reportorial tone while acknowledging that the information is secondhand or unverified.

Common phrases

sources say that
sources say he/she
multiple sources say
reliable sources say
unnamed sources say

Synonyms

according to reports · it is reported that · reputedly · allegedly · by all accounts

A common mistake

Learners sometimes overuse 'sources say' as a general hedge even when they should cite specific, named sources; in academic writing, vague attribution like this is often discouraged in favor of explicit citations.

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