He told me he would arrive at 10 pm.
He said, “How may I help you?”
She told me to help her.
She said to me, “I adore you!”
He said that he was sleepy.
Robert told me not to wake him up.
Veronica said she wanted to stay at home.
He said to me that you don’t want it.
speaking practice
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Difference between ‘SAY’ and ‘TELL’ in English
In this lesson, we learn the difference between say and tell. We also practice how to properly construct sentences using them.
The verbs TO TELL and TO SAY have similar meanings. However, they do have slightly different purposes and structures. When written in the past simple, they are TOLD and SAID. Let’s review their meaning.
For example, TOLD gets used for communicating facts or information to someone. It can also be a way to issue a command.
While TO SAY is more general and more often used for conveying an opinion, feeling, or intention. SAID is also used when communicating what others say aloud (which is called direct speech).
Here are some examples:
He told me he would be there at 10 pm – informative
He said, “How may I help you?” – direct speech
She told me to help her. – imperative
She said to me,” I adore you!” – direct speech
Here is another rule to remember:
said/say + something
told/tell + somebody something
You say something
You tell somebody something
Robert said that he was sleepy.
Robert told me not to wake him up.
Veronica said she wanted to stay at home.
Veronica told me she must be at work by 9 am.
He said, “I love you.”
Joe told Veronica that he loved her.
As you can see, TOLD is usually followed with a personal object or name (me, her, him, Veronica), but SAID does not require a personal object.
You can also use SAID with a personal object instead of TOLD, but you must add TO SOMEONE (said + to someone):
She said to me that she was sleepy.
Veronica said to him that she wanted to stay home.
Joe said to me that he wanted to marry me.
It’s actually simple, so let’s practice!
She told to me that she was happy – INCORRECT
She told me that she was happy – CORRECT
He told that he likes reading – INCORRECT
He said that he likes reading – CORRECT
He say me you don’t want it – INCORRECT
He said to me that you don’t want it – CORRECT
Veronica said Jack to go home – INCORRECT
Veronica told Jack to go home – CORRECT
Veronica said Jack that she was happy – INCORRECT
Veronica told Jack that she was sleepy – CORRECT
Summary
In conclusion, to say and to tell are two different verbs with different meanings. To say usually implies some truth to what is being said, while told often conveys an imperative. Additionally, said is more commonly used in everyday conversation, while told is required only in specific circumstances.
Now you know the difference between these two verbs and can use them correctly when needed.
