Register Guidelines E-Books Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Go Back   MobileRead Forums > E-Book General > Writers' Corner

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 12-01-2017, 11:22 AM   #1
Steven Lake
Sci-Fi Author
Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Steven Lake's Avatar
 
Posts: 1,157
Karma: 14743509
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Michigan
Device: PC (Calibre)
Asked vs Said

I seem to keep running into this big debate with my editors about when to use "said" and "asked" in a piece of dialogue. The way I seem to remember the rules (or were they just guidelines?) rules being:

1. If it's not a question, use "said."
2. If it's purely a question, use "asked".
3. If it's a hybrid of the two, use "said".
4. If it's mostly, but not entirely a question, use "asked".
5. When in doubt, and if it ends in a question, use "asked". Otherwise use "said".

So what do you guys think? Do you agree with the above rules, or is there a bit of wiggle room in there for which to use? Also, below are some examples where each rule would apply.

1. The tree down there is green.
2. Is the tree down there green?
3. This tree is green, but that one is not. Why is it here?
4. The dog is barking. Why is he barking? What is he barking at?
5. What time is it? We have to be downtown by 4pm!

So anyhow, that's my question. What do you guys think is the right answer here? Or forget thinking, what do the rules say? Is there a fixed set of grammatical rules, or just general guidelines for these scenarios?

EDIT: I fudged #2. Fixed.

Last edited by Steven Lake; 12-01-2017 at 05:18 PM.
Steven Lake is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-01-2017, 11:40 AM   #2
Cinisajoy
Just a Yellow Smiley.
Cinisajoy ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Cinisajoy ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Cinisajoy ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Cinisajoy ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Cinisajoy ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Cinisajoy ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Cinisajoy ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Cinisajoy ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Cinisajoy ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Cinisajoy ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Cinisajoy ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Cinisajoy's Avatar
 
Posts: 19,161
Karma: 83862859
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Texas
Device: K4, K5, fire, kobo, galaxy
He asked her out. She said no.
Cinisajoy is offline   Reply With Quote
Advert
Old 12-01-2017, 11:50 AM   #3
dwig
Wizard
dwig ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dwig ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dwig ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dwig ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dwig ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dwig ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dwig ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dwig ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dwig ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dwig ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.dwig ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
dwig's Avatar
 
Posts: 1,613
Karma: 6718479
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Paradise (Key West, FL)
Device: Current:Surface Go & Kindle 3 - Retired: DellV8p, Clie UX50, ...
I'm OK with #1-#3

#4 is pure "wiggle room".

#5 depends...
If several sentences are in a quote that ends with a question then use "said" if it appears before the quote and maybe use "asked" if it appears at the end of the quote. If the first sentence is a question then use "asked" if it appears before or after the quote.

I'd add #6 - use "said" when a statement is made, but is worded as a question (e.g. a rhetorical question when you "answer" is actually expected).
dwig is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-01-2017, 01:09 PM   #4
Catlady
Grand Sorcerer
Catlady ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Catlady ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Catlady ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Catlady ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Catlady ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Catlady ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Catlady ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Catlady ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Catlady ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Catlady ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Catlady ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Catlady's Avatar
 
Posts: 7,342
Karma: 52398889
Join Date: Oct 2010
Device: Kindle Fire, Kindle Paperwhite, AGPTek Bluetooth Clip
I don't think you can list sentences in isolation and look for hard and fast rules. What's the context? Do you need any attribution at all?

Generally I suppose you'd use "asked" if the punctuation immediately preceding in a question mark; otherwise, "said."
Catlady is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-01-2017, 01:15 PM   #5
Gregg Bell
Gregg Bell
Gregg Bell ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Gregg Bell ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Gregg Bell ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Gregg Bell ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Gregg Bell ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Gregg Bell ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Gregg Bell ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Gregg Bell ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Gregg Bell ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Gregg Bell ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Gregg Bell ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Gregg Bell's Avatar
 
Posts: 2,255
Karma: 3917588
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Itasca, Illinois
Device: Kindle Touch 7, Sony PRS300, Fire HD8 Tablet
There are no rules. It just how you communicate. Personally, I almost always use "said." It's, as they say, invisible to the reader. If I want to emphasize that it's a question I'll use "asked." Or for moderation's sake every once in a while I'll also use "asked."

For sure, don't stress about it.
Gregg Bell is offline   Reply With Quote
Advert
Old 12-01-2017, 01:23 PM   #6
Bilbo1967
Not scared!
Bilbo1967 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Bilbo1967 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Bilbo1967 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Bilbo1967 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Bilbo1967 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Bilbo1967 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Bilbo1967 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Bilbo1967 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Bilbo1967 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Bilbo1967 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Bilbo1967 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Bilbo1967's Avatar
 
Posts: 13,424
Karma: 81011643
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Midlands, UK
Device: Kindle Paperwhite 10, Huawei M5 10
Quote:
Originally Posted by Catlady View Post
Generally I suppose you'd use "asked" if the punctuation immediately preceding in a question mark; otherwise, "said."
That's the way I'd do it as well.

So for 2, 3 and 4 I'd use "asked"; for 1 and 5 I'd use "said" (although 5 ends in an exclamation mark so maybe you'd consider a more emphatic word than "said").

Anything else just looks weird to me.
Bilbo1967 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-01-2017, 02:57 PM   #7
arjaybe
Guru
arjaybe ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.arjaybe ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.arjaybe ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.arjaybe ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.arjaybe ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.arjaybe ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.arjaybe ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.arjaybe ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.arjaybe ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.arjaybe ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.arjaybe ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
arjaybe's Avatar
 
Posts: 996
Karma: 12012526
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Canada
Device: Sony PRS-650
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gregg Bell View Post
There are no rules. It just how you communicate. Personally, I almost always use "said." It's, as they say, invisible to the reader. If I want to emphasize that it's a question I'll use "asked." Or for moderation's sake every once in a while I'll also use "asked."

For sure, don't stress about it.
I agree. If it's got a question mark, then it's a question and the reader knows they asked, even if you say "said." I think we should be able to use "said" in all cases, but I'll use "asked" once in a while for variety. Since I record my stories, and "asked" is just a little more difficult, especially if you want to pronounce the "k," I probably use it a little less than I otherwise might.
arjaybe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-01-2017, 05:22 PM   #8
Steven Lake
Sci-Fi Author
Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Steven Lake's Avatar
 
Posts: 1,157
Karma: 14743509
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Michigan
Device: PC (Calibre)
Hmm, interesting answers. My question mostly comes from a bit of contention that comes from dealing with my editor who seems to have some pretty firm rules about what's allowed in this situation and what's not, of which I generally agree with, with a few obvious exceptions. But I just wanted to be sure that it was just their convictions and not actual hard and fast rules that I need to follow.
Steven Lake is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-01-2017, 05:32 PM   #9
4691mls
Wizard
4691mls ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.4691mls ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.4691mls ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.4691mls ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.4691mls ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.4691mls ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.4691mls ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.4691mls ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.4691mls ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.4691mls ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.4691mls ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Posts: 2,776
Karma: 30081762
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: US
Device: ALL DEVICES ARE STOCK: Kobo Clara, Tolino Shine 2, Sony PRS-T3, T1
As a reader, it bugs me if a straightforward question is followed by "said". Obviously there will be some instances where it's a judgement call. I would like to see "asked" after examples #3 and #4 and "said" after #5.
4691mls is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-01-2017, 07:47 PM   #10
gmw
cacoethes scribendi
gmw ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.gmw ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.gmw ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.gmw ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.gmw ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.gmw ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.gmw ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.gmw ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.gmw ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.gmw ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.gmw ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
gmw's Avatar
 
Posts: 5,809
Karma: 137770742
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Australia
Device: Kobo Aura One & H2Ov2, Sony PRS-650
Quote:
Originally Posted by Catlady View Post
I don't think you can list sentences in isolation and look for hard and fast rules. What's the context? Do you need any attribution at all?

Generally I suppose you'd use "asked" if the punctuation immediately preceding in a question mark; otherwise, "said."
Very much this. Often the problem doesn't arise because you don't need the attribution. When it's clearly a question, ask it. The few instances where I have noticed that a clear question was "said" rather than "asked" it stood out as wrong. (But I have no idea how often it may have happened that I did not notice ... obviously.)
gmw is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-01-2017, 09:44 PM   #11
crich70
Grand Sorcerer
crich70 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.crich70 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.crich70 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.crich70 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.crich70 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.crich70 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.crich70 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.crich70 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.crich70 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.crich70 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.crich70 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
crich70's Avatar
 
Posts: 11,306
Karma: 43993832
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Monroe Wisconsin
Device: K3, Kindle Paperwhite, Calibre, and Mobipocket for Pc (netbook)
I think that it's not so much a rule as a bit of common sense. If it's a statement then said would be the word. if it's a question then the person asks about it and if they are uncertain about something they may ask about it. Using the wrong one can be really jarring. Like using its when a person is supposed to use it's i.e 'Its getting late,' instead of 'it's (it is) getting late.'
crich70 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-02-2017, 05:39 AM   #12
Alyssa Miranda
Connoisseur
Alyssa Miranda ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Alyssa Miranda ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Alyssa Miranda ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Alyssa Miranda ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Alyssa Miranda ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Alyssa Miranda ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Alyssa Miranda ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Alyssa Miranda ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Alyssa Miranda ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Alyssa Miranda ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Alyssa Miranda ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Posts: 59
Karma: 1121282
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: New Jersey
Device: Kindle and Nook
Agree that the most straightforward approach is to use "asked" when the preceding sentence ends in a question mark, and "said" if the sentence is not a question. Additionally, when "asked" is used I would use "answered" or "replied" by the character to whom the question was directed. If it is clear who is talking from the context, omit both to improve the flow.

Alyssa
Alyssa Miranda is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-02-2017, 10:23 AM   #13
theducks
Well trained by Cats
theducks ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.theducks ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.theducks ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.theducks ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.theducks ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.theducks ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.theducks ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.theducks ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.theducks ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.theducks ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.theducks ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
theducks's Avatar
 
Posts: 29,689
Karma: 54369090
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: The Central Coast of California
Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A
I love variety.

Exclaimed! Shouted. Murmured
Queried Questioned

But I would use 'said' for the rhetorical question.
theducks is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-02-2017, 10:42 AM   #14
Nabeel
Zealot
Nabeel ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Nabeel ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Nabeel ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Nabeel ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Nabeel ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Nabeel ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Nabeel ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Nabeel ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Nabeel ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Nabeel ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Nabeel ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Nabeel's Avatar
 
Posts: 146
Karma: 2747136
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Britain
Device: Kobo Aura One
I agree with 'the Ducks'. The English language gives us a wealth of words for speech: why do we have to restrict ourselves to 'said' and 'asked'?

There might be an interesting debate to have about rhetorical questions:

'Steve's just won the lottery. He's got a million pounds!'
'A million pounds!' he said.

'Steve's just won the lottery. He's got a million pounds!'
'A million pounds?' he asked.

Could 'said' and 'asked' be used the other way round in these examples?
Nabeel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-02-2017, 10:59 AM   #15
Catlady
Grand Sorcerer
Catlady ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Catlady ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Catlady ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Catlady ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Catlady ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Catlady ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Catlady ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Catlady ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Catlady ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Catlady ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Catlady ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Catlady's Avatar
 
Posts: 7,342
Karma: 52398889
Join Date: Oct 2010
Device: Kindle Fire, Kindle Paperwhite, AGPTek Bluetooth Clip
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nabeel View Post
I agree with 'the Ducks'. The English language gives us a wealth of words for speech: why do we have to restrict ourselves to 'said' and 'asked'?
Because generally the words should not call attention to themselves. Most of the time, the only reason for them is to indicate who is speaking.
Catlady is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Said or Asked? arjaybe Writers' Corner 15 09-20-2014 03:38 AM
I said, she said, he asked? VydorScope Writers' Corner 12 07-26-2011 09:54 AM
What do you say when asked what page you're on? daxp General Discussions 64 07-28-2010 03:17 PM
Just because Desertgrandma asked ... RickyMaveety Lounge 28 07-18-2008 11:22 AM
For those who have asked GeoffC Bookeen 12 03-27-2008 02:26 PM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:52 AM.


MobileRead.com is a privately owned, operated and funded community.