ANSWER: "He said" vs. "Said he"
Which is more correct: "he said" or "said he"?
With examples from Discworld and Weiss Kreuz
Usually, it's "she said." But sometimes "said he" is more appropriate.
Generally, English word order and custom dictate that "he [or she, or it] said" is the idea word order. For example:
Death shook its hooded head. NO, it said, its voice full of odd resonances and yet strangely flat in this echo-chamber room. YOU ARE NEAR DEATH, BUT YOU MAY NOT DIE AT ALL. I AM HERE... IN CASE.
This order is the customary English word order: subject, verb, object. "He" is the subject, "said" clearly the verb, and whatever the speaker says is the object. While you can mix things up and still have your intent be clear, keeping things consistent with standard usage is the best way to keep your readers happy, engaged, and clear about your intentions.
"[So and so] said" is the bread and butter of dialogue, and just as tasty. Witness this exchange:
"The plans say there's a private generator in the basement," Mamoru said. "Masafumi may have been insane, but he was at least organised." He flicked the switch, and the florescent lights flickered into life. Nagi spun round, eyes fixed on the far wall.
"What -" he said.
"Like I'll fall for that again," Mamoru muttered.
"She said" is simply more natural. The only 'good' use of "said he" is in period dialogue (not from a fic, as I couldn't find a good example):
"'I'll be down in a minute,' said he. Like I don't know he'll take a good half hour up there, doing God knows what!"
So whatever it is your character may have to say, remember to be clear about what "she or he (or it!) said."
With examples from Discworld and Weiss Kreuz
Usually, it's "she said." But sometimes "said he" is more appropriate.
Generally, English word order and custom dictate that "he [or she, or it] said" is the idea word order. For example:
Death shook its hooded head. NO, it said, its voice full of odd resonances and yet strangely flat in this echo-chamber room. YOU ARE NEAR DEATH, BUT YOU MAY NOT DIE AT ALL. I AM HERE... IN CASE.
This order is the customary English word order: subject, verb, object. "He" is the subject, "said" clearly the verb, and whatever the speaker says is the object. While you can mix things up and still have your intent be clear, keeping things consistent with standard usage is the best way to keep your readers happy, engaged, and clear about your intentions.
"[So and so] said" is the bread and butter of dialogue, and just as tasty. Witness this exchange:
"The plans say there's a private generator in the basement," Mamoru said. "Masafumi may have been insane, but he was at least organised." He flicked the switch, and the florescent lights flickered into life. Nagi spun round, eyes fixed on the far wall.
"What -" he said.
"Like I'll fall for that again," Mamoru muttered.
"She said" is simply more natural. The only 'good' use of "said he" is in period dialogue (not from a fic, as I couldn't find a good example):
"'I'll be down in a minute,' said he. Like I don't know he'll take a good half hour up there, doing God knows what!"
So whatever it is your character may have to say, remember to be clear about what "she or he (or it!) said."