Confusing verbs: Say vs. Tell

​Pre-intermediate / Intermediate level

The main meaning of say is to speak or tell somebody something, using words. 

say = to speak 

The main meaning of tell is to give information to somebody by speaking or writing. 

tell = to give information 

Here’s the basic difference: 
We say something. 
BUT
We tell somebody something.


Which word to use? 

Say 

Say never has a person as the object. You say something or say something to somebody. 

Examples:

• Michael said he was tired. OR Michael told me he was tired.
• Sarah said she was moving house. OR Sarah told me she was moving house. 
• Peter said: “I’m hungry, Elizabeth.” OR Peter told Elizabeth he was hungry. 

We can also use this structure: 
say [something] to somebody.

• She said something to me but I didn’t understand.
• She didn’t say anything to us.
• My neighbour always says good morning to me. 
• What did he say to you? 

Remember that we use a phrase with 'to'. 

Say is often used when you are giving somebody’s exact words: 

Examples: 

• ‘I’m in a hurry,’ he said to me.
• ‘Sit down’, she said. 
• Anne said, ‘I’m tired.’ 
• Anne said (that) she was tired. 
• He said (that) his name was Sam. 
• She said goodbye to all her friends and left. 
• He never forgets to say 'Please" and 'Thank you'. 
• How do you say 'goodbye' in Vietnamese? 
• She said she would wait for us outside. 
• They asked if I was looking for a job and I said yes.  
• The offer was so good that I couldn't say no (= couldn't refuse).  
• I asked him if he wanted it today but he said to leave it till tomorrow. 
• And then she said to me, ‘I’m your cousin. We’ve never met before’.   
• He said, ‘I’m not paying £50 for that’. ​ 

You can use say about and say something about: 

Examples: 

• What did they say about the house? 
• I want to say something/​a few words/​a little about my family. 

Say can also be used with a clause when the person you are talking to is not mentioned: 

Examples: 

• She didn’t say what she intended to do. (The person she is talking to is not mentioned.) 
• She didn't say whether she was coming. 
• Did she say why she wasn't coming? 
• She finds it hard to say what she feels. 

Tell 

Tell usually has a person as the object and often has two objects: 

If we use an object pronoun (me, him, her, someone, etc.) or someone’s name, we use tell, not say: 

Examples: 

• Have you told him the news yet? 
• Did she tell you her name? 
• Whad did I tell you? (= you should have listened to my advice.) 
• The boy told us he didn't want any money. 
• 'I'm ready to go,' he told her. 

It is often used with ‘that’ clauses: 

Examples: 

• Anne told me (that) she was tired. 
• The doctor told me (that) I should eat less fat. 
• I kept telling myself (that) everything was OK. 

Tell is usually used when somebody is giving facts or information, often with what, where, etc: 

Examples: 

• Can you tell me when the movie starts? (BUT: Can you give me some information about the school?) 
• She told him they were going on holiday. (The focus is on the information.) 
• She told him when they were going to London. 
• He told me how he had got the job by lying about his age. 
• Tell me where you live.  
• Don't tell me what to do. 

Tell is also used when you are giving somebody instructions: 

Examples: 

• The doctor told me to stay in bed. 
• The doctor told me (that) I had to stay in bed. OR The doctor said (that) I had to stay in bed. 
• They told us to come back the next day.  
• They told her to wait till the doctor arrived. 

When only tell is possible 

We use tell when we are giving facts or information. If we use an object pronoun (me, him, her, someone, etc.) or someone’s name, we use tell, not say. 

Structures with tell: 

• tell somebody (that) ... 
• tell somebody something
• tell somebody about something
• tell somebody who/when/where, etc. 

There are also some set phrases with tell:

• tell (someone) a lie
• tell (someone) the truth
• tell (someone) a story  

Examples: 

• You never tell a lie. 
• Are you use you're telling the truth? 
• You're good at telling jokes. 

​When only say is possible

We use say when our words do not contain facts or information, for example when we greet people:

• She said hello to me.
• She said: ‘Hello’. 

​

• She said no.
• She said: ‘No!’

​
We can use say that if we want to give information:

• He said that he likes football.

Structures with say:

• say (something)
• say that (something) 
• say (something) to (a person)
• “(something)” a person said ('Hello,' she said.) 

Now try this quick exercise to see how well you can use say and tell.
Instructions: fill in each gap using say or tell in its correct form. Be careful! 

1. .............. me when you want to go home. 
2. How do you .............. 'good morning' in Korean? 
3. I asked them to give me a discount, but they .............. no. 
4. They wrote to .............. us that they were moving to a new office. 
5. The instruction manual .............. you how to use the printer properly. 
6. Don't believe him! He never .............. the truth. 
7. He looked at me but he didn't .............. anything. Perhaps he didn't recognise me. 
8. How was your job interview? Sit down and .............. me all about it.  
9. Please .............. us your name and occupation. 
10. The police officer ............. him to stop. 
11. I just stopped by to .............. hello. 
12. They .............. that you should drink eight glasses of water a day. 
13. Sarah, I .............. you not to eat any cookies before dinner! 
14. Helen .............. she doesn't like chocolate. 
15. What did your parents .............. to you when they saw your exam results? 

​Answers: 
1. Tell; 2. say; 3. said; 4. tell; 5. tells; 6. tells; 7. say; 8. tell; 9. tell; 10. told; 11. say; 12. say; 13. told;
14. says; 15. say;