BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem
TTP OnDemand GMAT Video Course
Featured Course

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Scott Woodbury-Stewart’s private virtual classroom — 400 hours of master-class video lessons for the GMAT Focus Edition.

  • 715+ score guarantee — highest in the industry (99th percentile)
  • 52 chapters · 1,500+ lessons · 4,000+ practice questions
  • 400 hours of video · 1,500+ instructor-led HD smartboard lessons
  • 300,000+ students accepted to Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth & Sloan & more
  • 24/7 live support + weekly Zoom office hours with GMAT instructors
  • TTP AI Assist — 24/7 AI-powered virtual tutor for instant help
  • 1,200+ flashcards + AI-powered study assistant & daily calendar
  • OnDemand, LiveTeach & GMAT Bootcamp formats available
  • Also: GRE, SAT Math & Executive Assessment courses
  • MBA Admissions Consulting now available
  • 🏆 2025 EdTech Breakthrough Award: Test Prep Solution Provider of the Year
  • 200,000+ students served
  • 5-day free trial — $0 to start, no auto-billing, cancel anytime
★★★★★ 5.0 (559 reviews)
130-pt guarantee
$0 to start then $127/mo
Start Free 5-Day Trial Read 559 Reviews →

Said vs said that- confusion

Expert replies
Post new topic Locked
Previous Topic Next Topic
Source: — Sentence Correction |
Legendary Member
Posts: 544
Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2010 8:10 amFollowed by: 2 members
Thanked: 45 times

by sameerballani » Fri Aug 09, 2013 4:12 am
I feel both case 1 and case 2 are correct. However, I don't thing case 3 is correct.
Sul wrote:Hi

Could someone tell me which of the following is/are correct?

Case 1: He said that he would come.
Case 2: He said he would come.
Case 3: He said he will come.

Thanks
If my post was helpful, then please click "Thank".
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 2193
Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2010 6:30 pmFollowed by: 512 members
Location: Vermont and Boston, MA
Thanked: 1186 times
GMAT Score:770

by David@VeritasPrep » Fri Aug 09, 2013 7:26 am
Typically you need the word "that" in order to paraphrase something that I person says. On the GMAT you do not quote directly. So you do not say, David said, "we will meet tomorrow." at least on the GMAT. On the GMAT they instead paraphrase. So they say David said THAT we will meet tomorrow.

Your example is less clear, but on the GMAT the choice is usually clearer. If we are talking about what someone said or thought or felt or anything that is put into words you need the word that.
Veritas Prep | GMAT Instructor

Veritas Prep Reviews
Save $100 off any live Veritas Prep GMAT Course
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Legendary Member
Posts: 544
Joined: Mon Dec 27, 2010 8:10 amFollowed by: 2 members
Thanked: 45 times

by sameerballani » Fri Aug 09, 2013 7:52 am
David@VeritasPrep wrote:Typically you need the word "that" in order to paraphrase something that I person says. On the GMAT you do not quote directly. So you do not say, David said, "we will meet tomorrow." at least on the GMAT. On the GMAT they instead paraphrase. So they say David said THAT we will meet tomorrow.

Your example is less clear, but on the GMAT the choice is usually clearer. If we are talking about what someone said or thought or felt or anything that is put into words you need the word that.
Hi David,

Thanks.
I have read the Manhattan SC and it says that with verb SAY , it is not mandatory to keep THAT. It works well without THAT as well.. What is your stance?

Also, Can you elaborate from MEANING perspective what is the difference between Case 2 & Case 3?

Thanks !!

Sameer
If my post was helpful, then please click "Thank".
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 2193
Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2010 6:30 pmFollowed by: 512 members
Location: Vermont and Boston, MA
Thanked: 1186 times
GMAT Score:770

by David@VeritasPrep » Fri Aug 09, 2013 10:46 am
I would agree with that information about "say" since it is not a direct quote like "said."

Again, I am speaking specifically of when you are paraphrasing instead of directly quoting. That is when you want to have the that. Such as in this official guide question.

"The extraordinary diary of William Lyon Mackenzie King, prime minister of Canada for over twenty years, revealed that this most bland and circumspect of men was a mystic guided in both public and private life by omens, messages received at séances, and signs from heaven."

So "revealed" is like "said" and this is when you need the that.

As to your example, I would change #3 to "I believe he will come" That is the better use of "will." If he said it, I would use "would" as in #2. "He said he would come" I think that 1 and 2 might both be acceptable in this case.
Veritas Prep | GMAT Instructor

Veritas Prep Reviews
Save $100 off any live Veritas Prep GMAT Course
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Post new topic Locked
• Page 1 of 1