likely vs say

likely

adv
  • Probably. 

noun
  • Something or somebody considered likely. 

adj
  • probable; having a greater-than-even chance of occurring 

  • Reasonably to be expected; apparently destined, probable 

  • attractive; pleasant 

  • appropriate, suitable; believable; promising, having a good potential 

  • plausible; within the realm of credibility 

  • leading with high probability to some specified outcome 

say

adv
  • For example; let us assume. 

  • Pick a color you think they'd like, say, peach. 

verb
  • Suppose, assume; used to mark an example, supposition or hypothesis. 

  • To tell, either verbally or in writing. 

  • To indicate in a written form. 

  • To have a common expression; used in singular passive voice or plural active voice to indicate a rumor or well-known fact. 

  • To recite. 

  • To pronounce. 

  • To try; to assay. 

  • To bet as a wager on an outcome; by extension, used to express belief in an outcome by the speaker. 

  • To speak; to express an opinion; to make answer; to reply. 

noun
  • Tried quality; temper; proof. 

  • A chance to speak; the right or power to influence or make a decision. 

  • Essay; trial; attempt. 

  • Trial by sample; assay; specimen. 

  • A strainer for milk. 

intj
  • Used to gain someone's attention before making an inquiry or suggestion 

How often have the words likely and say occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )