other than to say/saying

[diamondcutter]

Sam refused to discuss the argument, other than to say that Diane had called him 'gutless'.

Source: https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/other-than

This is a sample sentence from the Longman dictionary. I’d like to know if it makes sense to use “saying” after "other than" instead of “to say” in this sentence.

 

[Yankee]

Yes.

 

[emsr2d2]

They're both possible. I prefer "to say" simply because it reflects "to discuss" in the first clause.

 

[jutfrank]

I say only other than to say is right in this kind of sentence. It's a kind of to-infinitive of purpose.

 

[emsr2d2]

If you change the words just a little, "saying" can sound more natural.

Sam refused to discuss the argument, other than to say saying only that Diane had called him 'gutless'.

 

[diamondcutter]

I think the original sentence means this. Am I right?

Sam refused to discuss the argument other than he said that Diane had called him 'gutless'.

 

[jutfrank]

He said only one thing about the argument: mentioning that Diane called him 'gutless'.