Said vs said that- confusion

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Said vs said that- confusion

by Sul » Thu Aug 08, 2013 9:51 pm
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
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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
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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 On the GMAT you do not quote directly.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.
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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 On the GMAT you do not quote directly.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
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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.
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