Grammar, compared
Say vs tell
Tell always needs a person: tell me. Say does not: say hello. Many phrases are fixed, so learn them in pairs.
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| Say | Tell |
|---|---|
| She said she was tired. | She told me she was tired. |
| He said hello to everyone. | He told everyone the news. |
| Say something! | Tell me the truth. |
When to use each
| Point | Say | Tell |
|---|---|---|
| A person after it | No, or with to: say to him | Always: tell him, tell me |
| Fixed phrases | say hello, say goodbye, say yes, say sorry, say a word | tell the truth, tell a lie, tell a joke, tell a story, tell the time |
| Reported speech | He said that he was late. | He told me that he was late. |
| Order | say something to someone | tell someone something |
Watch out if you speak Spanish
- Decir covers both. English needs a choice.
- Never say he said me. Use he told me or he said to me.
- Tell me, not say me. Say to me, not tell to me.
- Speak and talk are different again: speak English, talk to a friend.
Practice
Grammar practice
Choose or type the answer for each sentence, then check.
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Questions
- Is it say to me or tell me?
- Both work: He said to me that he was late. He told me that he was late. Never he said me.
- What about speak and talk?
- Speak is for a language or a formal talk: speak English. Talk is a conversation: talk to a friend.
Keep going
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