he said that "you were correct." vs he said, "you are correct."

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. The first phrase, "he said that 'you were correct.'", is used when reporting something that was said in the past. The second phrase, "he said, 'you are correct.'", is used when directly quoting someone in the present. The choice between the two depends on the tense of the reported speech.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 10425 views

he said that "you were correct."

This phrase is correct and commonly used when reporting something that was said in the past.

This phrase is used to report speech that occurred in the past. The verb 'were' matches the past tense of the reported speech.

Examples:

She told me that 'she was going to the store.'
He mentioned that 'he had finished his homework.'
They explained that 'they had already left.'
The teacher confirmed that 'the test was next week.'
I heard that 'they were getting married.'

Show examples from the web [+]

What you told me about the coming of the railway, it seems you were correct.
It appears you were correct, Mr. Ellman.
If you were correct, try and guess the next word! Alternatively, you can attempt one of the many other vocabularies bundled with & kanagram;.
He said that "today the internet and satellite TV are probably the biggest hope for global information freedom".
When elected he said that "football is a game before a product" and has pledged to defend it against overwhelming domination by business.
When elected he said that "football is a game before a product" and has pledged to defend it against overwhelming domination by business.
It seems that everything he said is correct.
Orphans! ... they were correct.
In global terms he said that "Al-Qaeda will remain an international threat for years to come".
He said that "the world - not just Europeans, are looking to us".
He said that "the elections have shown the political maturity of the Mozambican people".
At the seminar he said that "we could release particles of sulphur (to deflect sunlight and heat) in the upper atmosphere to cool the global climate".
He said that "old Europe" could provide the answers by listening to its peoples who had expressed their views so clearly in streets all around Europe.
He said that "Europeans have not only been spectators, but we were involved, and, in some cases, supported the injustice".
He said that existing regulation was impinging on communities of sparsely populated coastal regions and that "people are not taken into the equation".
Turning to the Israeli-Palestinian dispute he said that "the region is once again in flames".
Before leaving Kinshasa, delegation Chairman Jürgen Schröder summed up the mood when he said that "people are tired of wars and transitional governments".
I'll confess that you were correct before in suspecting me, but everything I did was at her behest.
Then you can take great pleasure in knowing you were correct all along.
You said that those comments were not correct.

Alternatives:

he said that 'you were right.'
he mentioned that 'you were accurate.'
he confirmed that 'you were spot on.'
he reported that 'you were on the mark.'
he stated that 'you were on target.'

he said, "you are correct."

This phrase is correct and commonly used when directly quoting someone in the present.

This phrase is used to directly quote someone in the present. The verb 'are' matches the present tense of the quoted speech.

Examples:

She said, 'I am going to the store.'
He replied, 'I am finished with my homework.'
They exclaimed, 'We have already left.'
The teacher stated, 'The test is next week.'
I heard him say, 'They are getting married.'

Show examples from the web [+]

So I wrote this high school kid back immediately, and I said, Yes, you are correct.
I certainly hope you are correct.
But you are correct. l do not require rest.
The secretariat tells me that you are correct.
Checked our records, and you are correct.
There is a high degree of probability that you are correct.
No extra points for yelling, but you are correct.
The short answer is that you are correct.
Alright, Mr Swoboda, you are correct.
I know the one of whom you speak, and I believe you are correct.
Again, Mr Santini, in relation to citation 12, you are correct.
Well, in my case, I can safely say you are correct.
If by "all of us,"you mean "everyone except me," Then yes, sir, you are correct.
If you are referring to the Kolinahr, Doctor, you are correct.
I said that you are correct that I may, not- not that I will.
You are correct that l am unable to experience that emotion.
You are correct, Capt Picard.
However, you are correct in one thing.
You are correct that I may grant you access to the archives.
Yes, you are correct Mr Jarzembowski: Amendment 12 falls.

Alternatives:

he said, 'you are right.'
he mentioned, 'you are accurate.'
he confirmed, 'you are spot on.'
he reported, 'you are on the mark.'
he stated, 'you are on target.'

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he said that "you were correct." vs he said, "you are correct."