The key rule
| Verb | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| SAY | say + something say + to someone + something |
She said "hello". He said to me that he was tired. |
| TELL | tell + someone + something tell + someone + to do sth |
She told me her name. He told us to be quiet. |
Key difference:
Tell needs a person right after it: "tell me, tell her, tell John". Say does NOT need a person directly after it: ✓ "She said hello" ✗ "She said me hello".
Common mistakes:
✗ "He told that he was sick." → ✓ "He said that he was sick."
✗ "She said me to go." → ✓ "She told me to go."
✗ "He told that he was sick." → ✓ "He said that he was sick."
✗ "She said me to go." → ✓ "She told me to go."
Fixed expressions
| With SAY | With TELL |
|---|---|
| say hello / goodbye | tell the truth |
| say sorry | tell a lie |
| say please / thank you | tell a story / joke |
| say a word / something | tell someone the time |
| say yes / no | tell someone your name |
| say a prayer | tell the difference |
Exercises
Say or tell? Choose the correct form.
1. She ___ me that the film was great.
2. "Goodbye!" he ___ and left.
3. Always ___ the truth.
4. The teacher ___ that the test was on Friday.