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 と tell の使い分けは非常に重要です。どちらも「言う」という意味で使われますが、文法的な構造やニュアンスが異なります。この違いを理解することは、情報を正確に伝え、より自然で説得力のある英語を話すために不可欠です。B1レベルの学習者にとって、このルールは時制の一致（tense backshifting）などの間接話法の基本知識を基盤とし、過去の会話を正確かつ流暢に表現できるようになるための鍵となります。say と tell の主な違いは、情報を伝達される「誰に」伝えるのか、つまり間接目的語（indirect object）の存在とその文法的な役割にあります。tell は、誰に伝えられたのかを明確に示す場合に使い、動詞の直後に間接目的語が必要です。一方、say は、何を伝えたのかという発言内容に焦点が置かれ、聞き手の言及は任意であるか、または前置詞 to を使って示されます。tellは常に間接目的語を取ります。これは通常、人を示す代名詞や名詞です。例えば、He told me that he would be late.では、meが間接目的語です。sayは直接間接目的語を取りません。聞き手を省略するか、toを使って含めます。例えば、He said that he would be late.（聞き手は省略）またはHe said to me that he would be late.（toを使用）となります。
tell の機能は「受信者への情報伝達」であり、say の機能は主に「言葉を発すること、発言すること」にあります。この区別は単なる気まぐれではなく、英語におけるある種の他動詞は、その意味を完成させるために直接的な補語を必要とする、という言語的な原則を反映しています。tell は本質的に関係性を持つ動詞であり、常に「誰かに」向けられたメッセージを意味します。一方、say は発話行為そのものにより焦点を当てています。この違いをマスターすることは、元のコミュニケーションの強調点をより正確に反映する適切な動詞を選択するのに役立ちます。say と tell の文法的なパターンは厳格であり、正しい間接話法のためには従う必要があります。これらのパターンを破ることは、学習者によく見られる間違いです。これらの構造を認識することで、明確で自然なコミュニケーションを確保できます。Say のパターン:say + (that) + 節 | She said, "I'm tired." | She said (that) she was tired. |say + to + 目的語 + (that) + 節 | He said to me, "It's cold." | He said to me (that) it was cold. |say の場合、接続詞 that は、特にインフォーマルな文脈では省略されることが多いです。to + 目的語 を含めることで聞き手が明確になりますが、常に必要というわけではありません。主な焦点は、聞き手ではなく、発言内容にあります。例えば、The report says that unemployment is rising. は、報告の受信者が特定されていないため、says を正しく使用しています。Tell のパターン:tell + 目的語 + (that) + 節 | He told me, "I'll help you." | He told me (that) he would help me. |tell + 目的語 + 不定詞 | She told him, Call me later. | She told him to call her later. |tell は、動詞の直後に必ず間接目的語を必要とします。この目的語は、情報を伝達された「誰」を特定します。接続詞 that はここでも省略可能です。2番目のパターン、tell + 目的語 + 不定詞 は、命令、依頼、指示を伝える際に特に使用されます。例えば、My boss told us to finish the project by Friday. は、特定のグループに向けられた明確な指示を示しています。目的語を省略して tell を使うことは、文法的に誤りとなる一般的な間違いです。say to: 発話行為に焦点。「私に対して言った」というニュアンス。tell: 情報伝達に焦点。「私に伝えた」というニュアンス。
say と tell の選択は、必要な文法構造と伝えたい特定の強調点の両方に依存します。それぞれの動詞は distinct なコミュニケーション機能を提供しており、これらの違いを理解することは、間接話法における正確性を高めます。Say を使う場合:- メッセージの受信者が言及されていない、または重要でない場合: 発言そのものに焦点が置かれます。
She said that the meeting was postponed. （会議が延期されたという事実が重要であり、誰に言ったかはそれほど重要ではありません。）- 直接話法を引用する場合:
Sayは引用符 (`
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
| 動詞 | 使い方 | 例文（直接話法） | 例文（間接話法） |
|---|---|---|---|
|
say
|
一般的に何かを伝えるとき。「誰に」言ったかの目的語は不要です。
|
`He said, "I'm tired." `
|
`He said he was tired.`
|
|
say to
|
誰に話したか特定したいとき。オプションで、あまり一般的ではありません。
|
`She said to me, "It's late." `
|
`She said to me that it was late.`
|
|
tell
|
必ず「誰に」言ったか（目的語）が続きます。
|
`He told me, "Come here!" `
|
`He told me to come there.`
|
|
tell
|
指示、情報、物語、秘密、ニュースなどを伝えるときに使います。
|
`She told her friend, "I have a secret." `
|
`She told her friend she had a secret.`
|
|
tell
|
命令の場合は「tell + 目的語 + 不定詞」の形になります。
|
`My boss told us, "Finish by Friday." `
|
`My boss told us to finish by Friday.`
|
|
say
|
that節を使う場合、「that」はよく省略されます。
|
`He said (that) he would be late.`
|
`He said (that) he would be late.`
|
|
tell
|
that節を使う場合、「that」はよく省略されますが、目的語は絶対省略できません。
|
`She told them (that) she loved the gift.`
|
`She told them (that) she loved the gift.`
|
フォーマル度スペクトル
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)
レベル別の例文
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.
間違えやすい
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.
よくある間違い
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.
文型パターン
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.
聞き手をいつも意識しよう
She told me her name.
「話」は「say」しない！
He told me a funny story.
「tell」は「情報」とセット
Could you tell me the way?
字幕では「that」が省略されがち
過去の出来事で練習しよう
He said he would call me.
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'.
発音
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.
暗記しよう
記憶術
TELL needs a TAIL (a person at the end of the verb). SAY is for what you SPAY (speak/display).
視覚的連想
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
チャレンジ
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.
文化メモ
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).
会話のきっかけ
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?
日記のテーマ
よくある間違い
Test Yourself
She ___ me she couldn't make it to the party.
Find and fix the mistake:
The news reporter told that the storm was approaching.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Score: /3
練習問題
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.
正しい文を選んでください：
英語に翻訳してください: 'My professor told me to read chapter three.'
これらの単語を並べ替えて文を作ってください：
報告動詞と正しい構造を一致させてください：
The sign ___ 'No Parking'.
正しい文を選んでください：
英語に翻訳してください: 'She said she would call me back.'
He told a lie on his resume.
これらの単語を並べ替えて文を作ってください：
文の冒頭と正しい続きを一致させてください：
Score: /12
よくある質問 (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
Learn These First
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