[Grammar] Say Of/About

[heatherww]

Some news story contains this:

"'I could say that I have done some of those things,' he said of the accusations against him. "

How is "say of" different from "say about" or "say to"?

 

[Barb_D]

There is little or no difference between "said of" or "said about" or "said regarding."

However, "said to" is not right -- you say something TO a person.

 

[heatherww]

There is little or no difference between "said of" or "said about" or "said regarding."

However, "said to" is not right -- you say something TO a person.

What would you say to a drink after work?

 

[5jj]

What would you say to a drink after work?

"You look familiar. Haven't we met before?"

 

[emsr2d2]

What would you say to a drink after work?

Effectively this is still "say to a person" because the full sentence would be:

What would you say to me if I asked you if you fancied a drink after work?

 

[g-at-bbe]

emsr2d2 is exactly right. Unless, of course, you had something like this in mind:

Q: What would you say to a drink after work?

A: Hello. Would you mind terribly if I drank you?