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Can I say: Say somebody something?



 
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ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
'Much too' versus 'Too much' | Affect or effect?
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Can I say: Say somebody something? #1 (permalink) Sun Aug 20, 2006 11:02 am   Can I say: Say somebody something?
 

Dear teachers,

1/Please tell me the meaning of “say” in:

I say my lesson.

2/ With the verb “say”, can I say: Say somebody something?
Ex: Please read:
a.Did you say that news to David?
b. Did you say that news to David?

(a) is surely correct. So, (b) is correct?

Thanks
Quoc
Tung Quoc
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Joined: 13 Aug 2006
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Say #2 (permalink) Sun Aug 20, 2006 11:29 am   Say
 

Hi,

If you say somebody something, it's usually a recitation. You wouldn't use it as in your examples.

Alan
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Say #3 (permalink) Sun Aug 20, 2006 12:01 pm   Say
 

Dear teacher,

I only ask: Is there a structure:

Say sb sth?

If yes, please give me an example.

Thanks
Quoc
Tung Quoc
I'm here quite often ;-)


Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 372

Say #4 (permalink) Sun Aug 20, 2006 12:12 pm   Say
 

tung quoc wrote:
I only ask: Is there a structure:

Say sb sth?

If yes, please give me an example.

No, there is no such structure. If you check a good grammar book, you will find that say cannot have an indirect object. In that case, you have to use the verb tell.
Jamie (K)
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 24 Feb 2006
Posts: 6552
Location: Detroit, Michigan, USA

Say #5 (permalink) Sun Aug 20, 2006 12:24 pm   Say
 

Dear teacher,

Please tell me the meaning of "say" in:

I say my lesson.

My teacher uses always this in class.
Is it right?

Quoc
Tung Quoc
I'm here quite often ;-)


Joined: 13 Aug 2006
Posts: 372

Say #6 (permalink) Sun Aug 20, 2006 12:48 pm   Say
 

tung quoc wrote:
Please tell me the meaning of "say" in:

I say my lesson.

My teacher uses always this in class.
Is it right?

No, this sentence is wrong, and it's hard to understand what your teacher means by it. I think he or she is trying to say, "I recite my lesson."
Jamie (K)
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 24 Feb 2006
Posts: 6552
Location: Detroit, Michigan, USA

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