Estilo Indirecto: Say vs. Tell
say y tell hará que tu discurso indirecto suene súper natural y fluido.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'tell' when you mention the listener; use 'say' when you focus on the words spoken.
- Tell + Person: Always follow 'tell' with a personal object (e.g., 'Tell me').
- Say + Words: Use 'say' followed by the message or 'that' (e.g., 'Say hello').
- Say + To + Person: If you use 'say' with a person, you must use 'to' (e.g., 'Say to him').
Overview
say y tell. En español, tenemos el verbo decir, que es un todoterreno: sirve para todo.él me dijo que vendríay también
él dijo que vendría. En inglés, sin embargo, la estructura es más rígida y depende de si mencionas a la persona que escucha (el objeto indirecto). Este es un punto crítico en el nivel B1 porque, si usas mal estos verbos, aunque te entiendan, sonarás poco natural o, en el peor de los casos, cometerás errores gramaticales que resaltan mucho en una conversación.
say y tell no es solo léxica, es estructural. Mientras que en español el me (objeto indirecto) es opcional o flexible, en inglés el uso de tell requiere obligatoriamente un destinatario. Esta diferencia es fundamental para el *reported speech* (estilo indirecto).tell es un verbo transitivo que siempre necesita un objeto (la persona que recibe la información). Piénsalo así: tell implica una transferencia de información hacia alguien.contar no tiene sentido si no hay alguien al otro lado. Por eso, después de tell casi siempre verás un pronombre objeto (me, you, him, her, us, them) o un nombre propio. Por otro lado, say se centra en el mensaje mismo, en las palabras pronunciadas.Say no necesita un destinatario para que la oración sea gramaticalmente correcta. Si quieres incluir a la persona con say, debes usar la preposición to (say to me).objeto indirecto. En inglés, esta distinción es mucho más estricta. Si comparamos con nuestra lengua, en español decimos le dije a Maríao
dije a María.
I said Maríaes incorrecto. Debes decir
I told Maríao
I said to María. Esta es la gran diferencia:
tell absorbe la preposición a (o to), por lo que nunca dirás tell to me.Tell es una acción de comunicación directa y say es una acción de emisión de mensaje. Entender esto te ayudará a sonar mucho más preciso en tus presentaciones en la universidad o en tus viajes.say + (that) + clause | She said (that) she was tired. | No hay objeto indirecto. |say + to + object + (that) | He said to me that he was tired. | Obligatorio el to. |tell + object + (that) + clause | He told me (that) he was tired. | Nunca uses to aquí. |tell + object + infinitive | She told him to call her. | Para dar instrucciones. |tell, el objeto va pegado al verbo. Con say, o no hay objeto, o el objeto va precedido por to. Recuerda que el that es opcional; puedes decir He told me he was tiredy suena igual de correcto y muy natural en conversaciones diarias.
say cuando el contenido de lo que se dice es más importante que la persona que escucha. Es muy común usar say en frases como The book says that...o
The sign says..., donde no hay una persona específica recibiendo el mensaje. También usamos say en expresiones fijas como say hello, say goodbye o say sorry.tell hello, ¡suena fatal! Es say hello to your mom.
tell cuando el énfasis está en la comunicación hacia alguien. Es el verbo que usarás cuando reportas órdenes o consejos. Por ejemplo, si tu jefe te dio una instrucción, dirás: My boss told me to finish the report.
tell en expresiones fijas que involucran hechos o narración: tell a lie, tell the truth, tell a story, tell the time. Imagínate en una entrevista de trabajo: He told me the truth about the company.
say, tendrías que decir He said the truth to me, lo cual es posible pero mucho menos natural que
tell.- 1El error del
tofantasma: Muchos alumnos dicenHe told to me that...
. Esto ocurre porque en español decimosle dije a mí
. El cerebro busca elay lo traduce comoto. ¡Ojo!Tellya lleva implícito el destino. Nunca pongastodespués detell.
- 1Omitir el objeto con
tell: Es muy común escucharHe told that he was busy
. En español, podemos decirÉl dijo que estaba ocupado
omitiendo elme. En inglés,tellse siente incompleto si no dices a quién. Si no quieres mencionar a la persona, cambiatellporsay.
- 1Confundir el orden con
say: Algunos estudiantes dicenHe said me that...
. Esto es un error grave de sintaxis.Sayno puede ir seguido de un objeto directo de persona. Si necesitas mencionar a la persona, debes usarto:He said to me
.
speak o talk.to) |with/to) |to/with) |say y tell son para transmitir información específica, talk y speak son para el acto de conversar. Decimos I am talking to my friend(estoy conversando), pero
I told my friend the secret(le conté el secreto). La diferencia es que
tell es para datos concretos, mientras que talk es para el proceso de comunicación.- 1¿Puedo decir
He said me? No, nunca. Es un error gramatical básico. UsaHe told meoHe said to me
.
- 1¿Es obligatorio usar
that? No. Puedes decirShe told me she was coming
y es perfectamente correcto. Elthatse suele omitir en inglés hablado para ganar velocidad.
- 1¿Cuál es más formal?
Say topuede sonar un poco más formal o enfático quetell, pero en el 90% de los casos,telles la opción más natural y directa para reportar lo que alguien te dijo.
Irregular Forms of Say and Tell
| Base Form | Past Simple | Past Participle | Third Person Singular | Present Participle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Say
|
Said /sed/
|
Said /sed/
|
Says /sez/
|
Saying
|
|
Tell
|
Told /toʊld/
|
Told /toʊld/
|
Tells
|
Telling
|
Meanings
The primary function of 'say' and 'tell' is to report information, thoughts, or instructions that were previously expressed by someone else.
Reporting Information
Using verbs to relay a message from one person to another.
“He said that the meeting was canceled.”
“They told us the news this morning.”
Giving Instructions
Using 'tell' to report an order or a strong request.
“The doctor told me to stay in bed.”
“She told him not to worry.”
Idiomatic Expressions
Fixed phrases where only one of the two verbs is correct regardless of the general rule.
“Tell a lie / Tell the truth.”
“Say a prayer.”
Reference Table
| Verbo | Uso | Ejemplo (Directo) | Ejemplo (Reportado) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
say
|
Reporte general, sin objeto directo para la persona a la que se le habla.
|
`He said, "I'm tired." `
|
`He said he was tired.`
|
|
say to
|
Cuando quieres especificar a quién se le habló, pero es opcional y menos común.
|
`She said to me, "It's late." `
|
`She said to me that it was late.`
|
|
tell
|
Siempre seguido de un objeto directo (a quién se le dijo).
|
`He told me, "Come here!" `
|
`He told me to come there.`
|
|
tell
|
Usado para instrucciones, información, historias, secretos, noticias.
|
`She told her friend, "I have a secret." `
|
`She told her friend she had a secret.`
|
|
tell
|
Para órdenes, `tell` + objeto + infinitivo.
|
`My boss told us, "Finish by Friday." `
|
`My boss told us to finish by Friday.`
|
|
say
|
Con cláusula `that`, a menudo se omite `that`.
|
`He said (that) he would be late.`
|
`He said (that) he would be late.`
|
|
tell
|
Con cláusula `that`, `that` es a menudo opcional, pero el objeto nunca.
|
`She told them (that) she loved the gift.`
|
`She told them (that) she loved the gift.`
|
Espectro de formalidad
He informed me of his resignation. (Workplace gossip)
He told me he was quitting. (Workplace gossip)
He said he's out of here. (Workplace gossip)
He was like, 'I'm done.' (Workplace gossip)
Ejemplos por nivel
He says 'Hello'.
He says 'Hello'.
Tell me your name.
Tell me your name.
She said 'Yes'.
She said 'Yes'.
They told us the secret.
They told us the secret.
I told him that I was busy.
I told him that I was busy.
What did you say to her?
What did you say to her?
He told a very funny joke.
He told a very funny joke.
She said she didn't like the food.
She said she didn't like the food.
The teacher told the students to open their books.
The teacher told the students to open their books.
I said that I would think about it.
I said that I would think about it.
Can you tell me how to get to the station?
Can you tell me how to get to the station?
He said to me that he was moving to London.
He said to me that he was moving to London.
It is said that the castle is haunted.
It is said that the castle is haunted.
He told me off for being late again.
He told me off for being late again.
I couldn't tell if she was joking or not.
I couldn't tell if she was joking or not.
She said she'd been waiting for over an hour.
She said she'd been waiting for over an hour.
To tell you the truth, I'm quite disappointed.
To tell you the truth, I'm quite disappointed.
The evidence says otherwise.
The evidence says otherwise.
I was told that the position had been filled.
I was told that the position had been filled.
Needless to say, we were all very surprised.
Needless to say, we were all very surprised.
There is much to be said for his approach.
There is much to be said for his approach.
The clock told of a time long forgotten.
The clock told of a time long forgotten.
He has the final say in all budgetary matters.
He has the final say in all budgetary matters.
I can't tell one twin from the other.
I can't tell one twin from the other.
Fácil de confundir
Learners use 'say' when they mean the act of talking or using a language.
Learners use 'tell' to describe a two-way conversation.
Learners forget the 'to' when using 'say' with a person.
Errores comunes
He said me hello.
He said hello to me.
She told that she is happy.
She said that she is happy.
I tell to him the news.
I tell him the news.
He said me his name.
He told me his name.
They said us to wait.
They told us to wait.
Can you say me the time?
Can you tell me the time?
He told a prayer.
He said a prayer.
I said him that I would come.
I told him that I would come.
She told to me a lie.
She told me a lie.
He said me to shut up.
He told me to shut up.
The report tells that profits are up.
The report says that profits are up.
Patrones de oraciones
She told me that ___.
He said, '___'.
They told us to ___.
It's hard to tell the difference between ___ and ___.
Real World Usage
He said he's gonna be late.
My previous boss told me I was a great team player.
The witness said that the car was blue.
I told him to turn left at the light.
The post says the event is canceled.
The agent told me my refund was processed.
Siempre busca al oyente
say o tell, pregúntate: ¿hay un objeto directo (la persona o personas a las que se les habla) inmediatamente después del verbo? Si la respuesta es sí, lo más seguro es tell. Por ejemplo, She told me her name.
¡No 'say' una historia!
say a story. Siempre tell a story, tell a lie, tell a joke, tell the truth o tell the time. Son expresiones fijas que usan tell, ¡no caigas en la trampa! Por ejemplo, He told me a funny joke.
Piensa en 'información' para 'tell'
información, dando instrucciones o relatando algo importante a alguien, tell es tu opción. Say se enfoca más en las palabras en sí. Por ejemplo, The doctor told me to rest.
Los subtítulos a menudo omiten 'that'
that después de said y told. Es muy natural, sobre todo en situaciones informales. Por ejemplo, He said he was tired.
Practica con eventos pasados
. Este pequeño ejercicio mental te ayudará a entender mejor la regla. Por ejemplo,I told my mom about my day."
Smart Tips
Stop! Change it to 'told me' or 'said to me'.
Always use 'tell' + person + 'to'. It's the cleanest way to report an order.
Always check for the 'to'.
Use 'says', not 'tells'.
Pronunciación
The 'Said' Vowel
The word 'said' is pronounced with a short /e/ sound, like 'bed'. It does NOT rhyme with 'paid'.
The 'Says' Vowel
Similarly, 'says' is pronounced /sez/, rhyming with 'fez', not /seɪz/.
Told Diphthong
The 'o' in 'told' is a long diphthong /oʊ/, like in 'gold' or 'cold'.
Reporting Emphasis
He TOLD me (not just said it!)
Emphasizing 'told' stresses that the information was specifically directed at the listener.
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
TELL needs a TAIL (a person at the end of the verb). SAY is for what you SPAY (speak/display).
Asociación visual
Imagine the word 'TELL' having a long arm reaching out to grab a person (me, you, him). Imagine 'SAY' as a speech bubble containing only words, with no one nearby.
Rhyme
If you mention who you sell the news to, use TELL. If the words are all you say, then SAY is the way.
Story
Tom wanted to share a secret. He **said** 'I have a secret' to the wall. Then he saw Mary. He **told Mary** the secret. Mary **said** 'Wow!' and then she **told everyone**.
Word Web
Desafío
Look at your last 3 sent text messages. If you were reporting them to a friend, would you use 'say' or 'tell'? Write them out now.
Notas culturales
Using 'tell' for orders is common, but in some cultures, it can sound too direct or aggressive. Using 'He said that I should...' is slightly softer than 'He told me to...'.
In casual American English, 'be like' is frequently used instead of 'say' or 'tell' to report speech and thoughts simultaneously.
The phrase 'I've been told' is a common polite way to introduce a piece of information without naming the source, often used in professional settings.
Both verbs come from Old English roots. 'Say' comes from 'secgan' (to say, speak, tell), and 'tell' comes from 'tellan' (to count, reckon, relate).
Inicios de conversación
What did your best friend tell you recently?
Tell me about a time someone told you a secret.
What is the funniest joke someone has ever told you?
If you could say one thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Temas para diario
Errores comunes
Test Yourself
She ___ me she couldn't make it to the party.
tell algo a alguien.Find and fix the mistake:
The news reporter told that the storm was approaching.
Tell necesita un objeto directo inmediatamente después. Como no hay objeto ('us', 'them', etc.) aquí, said es la opción correcta para introducir la información reportada.Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
say es Sujeto + said + (that) + cláusula reportada.
Score: /3
Ejercicios de practica
8 exercisesShe ___ me that she was tired.
He ___ that he would be late for the meeting.
Find and fix the mistake:
I said him to be quiet.
He said to me, 'I am hungry.'
Match the following:
A: What did the doctor ___ you? B: He ___ I should eat more vegetables.
Select the correct sentence.
You can use 'say' with a person if you use 'to'.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesMy coach always ___ us to train harder.
The weather forecast told it would rain tomorrow.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'My professor told me to read chapter three.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Empareja el verbo reportado con la estructura correcta:
The sign ___ 'No Parking'.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'She said she would call me back.'
He told a lie on his resume.
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Empareja el comienzo de la oración con la continuación correcta:
Score: /12
Preguntas frecuentes (8)
Yes, but only in specific idioms like `tell a lie`, `tell the truth`, `tell a story`, or `tell the time`.
Yes, it is grammatically correct, but it is much less common than `He told me`. It sounds a bit more formal or old-fashioned.
`Tell` is for giving information (one-way), while `talk` is for having a conversation (two-way).
This is an old idiomatic use of 'tell' meaning 'to count' or 'to account for'.
Yes! `Tell me that you love me` is a perfect example of 'tell + person + that-clause'.
No. `Said` is pronounced /sed/, rhyming with 'red' or 'bed'.
You can, but you need to use 'that' and a modal verb: `He said that I should go`. `He told me to go` is more direct.
If you aren't mentioning the listener, you must use `say`. Example: `Someone said there was a fire.`
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
decir / contar
Spanish allows 'me dijo' (he said me), which is impossible in English.
dire / raconter
French doesn't have a direct equivalent to the 'tell + person' structural rule.
sagen / erzählen
German 'sagen' is used more often with people than English 'say'.
iu (言う) / tsutaeru (伝える)
Japanese doesn't distinguish between say/tell based on the presence of a listener in the same way.
qala (قال) / akhbara (أخبر)
Arabic uses one verb ('qala') for both 'say' and 'tell' in 90% of cases.
shuō (说) / gàosù (告诉)
Chinese 'shuō' can sometimes take a person as an object in casual speech.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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