Korean Job Discussion Forums

[chickenpie]

In an e-mail which of the two sentences are correct, and why?


I said yesterday that I would go to see Jane.

I said yesterday that "I would go to see Jane."


I pretty sure it's the first one, as it's an email I'm already talking so to speak so I don't need the " ...."

Thank you.

[I'm no Picasso]

The "that" and "would" render the quotes unnecessary. You are reporting what you said, not recording it. If it was:

I said yesterday, "I will go to see Jane."

then you would need quotes, as you are recording exactly what you said. You did not, however, say, "I would go see Jane." So don't put it in quotes.

[chickenpie]

So how about I if told you something yesterday and then said in an email:

And I said, "I will send you this program."

Thanks again.

[I'm no Picasso]

It wouldn't be necessary to use quotes in that situation, because "as I said" is sort of a signifier that you are going to repeat yourself -- it's like saying I said it before and I'll say it now.

It's not necessarily wrong in that case, however. Although a little awkward.

Quotes aren't really necessary unless you're recording a conversation or a specific quote. But as long as what is in the quotes is exactly what was said, and not qualified by "that" or any form of the past or conditional tenses, you should be alright.

Edit: I see that's "and" and not "as" -- misread. Yes, that should be in quotes. Not in quotes = And I said I would send you the program.

[chickenpie]

[I'm no Picasso]