Reported Speech: Say vs. Tell
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').
Say vs Tell — What's the Difference?
say and tell mean to speak words. But they use different grammar — and mixing them up is one of the most common English mistakes.say
Focus: the WORDS spoken
No person object needed after it.
She said (that) she was tired.
He said, "I am busy."
tell
Focus: the PERSON receiving information
Must have a person object after it.
She told me (that) she was tired.
He told her to come in.
The one rule you must remember: TELL always needs a person after it. SAY does not. If you can answer "tell WHO?", use tell. If not, use say.
Formation Pattern — How to Build Each Sentence
Pattern A — say + (that) + clause
Subject + say/said + (that) + subject + verb
She said she was hungry.
She said me she was hungry.
Pattern B — say + direct speech (exact words)
Subject + said + "exact words"
Pattern C — say + to + person (optional, less common)
Subject + said + to + person + (that) + clause
Pattern A — tell + person + (that) + clause
Subject + tell/told + person + (that) + subject + verb
He told me (that) he was leaving.
He told (that) he was leaving.
Pattern B — tell + person + to + verb (instructions/commands)
Subject + tell/told + person + to + base verb
Fixed expressions — TELL + noun (no "that")
Some common phrases always use TELL — you must memorize these:
| Expression | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
tell the truth | Not lie | Always tell the truth. |
tell a lie | Say something false | He never tells lies. |
tell a story | Narrate something | She told us a story about her trip. |
tell a joke | Say something funny | He told a funny joke. |
tell the time | Read a clock | Can you tell the time? / What time is it? |
tell the difference | Notice what is not the same | I can't tell the difference between them. |
tell someone apart | Recognize which is which | I can't tell the twins apart. |
Quick Comparison — SAY vs TELL
| Feature | SAY | TELL |
|---|---|---|
| Person object after it? | ❌ No — "say me" is wrong | ✅ Yes — always needed |
| With direct speech? | ✅ She said, "Hello." | ❌ NOT used with "..." |
| With (that) + clause? | ✅ She said (that)... | ✅ She told me (that)... |
| With to + infinitive? | ❌ Not used this way | ✅ She told me to go. |
| Fixed expressions? | say hello, say sorry, say a prayer | tell the truth, tell a lie, tell a story |
Real Conversations
Did you hear about Sara? She told me she got a new job!
Really? What did she say about it?
She said it's a really good company. She also told me the salary is much better.
That's great! Her parents must be happy. Did she tell them?
Yes! She said her mum cried! And she told her dad to come visit her new office.
Why each word was used:
→ "told me she got a new job" = TELL + person (me) + clause ✓
→ "What did she say about it?" = SAY (no person needed) ✓
→ "said it's a good company" = SAY + clause (no person) ✓
→ "told her dad to come" = TELL + person + to + verb ✓
"The CEO said the company is growing fast. She also told the team to prepare for new projects. She said she was very proud of everyone."
What did she say about our department specifically?
She told me our department is the best performer. And she said she would tell the board about our results next week.
Structures used:
→ "said the company is growing" = SAY + clause
→ "told the team to prepare" = TELL + person + to + verb
→ "told me our department is..." = TELL + person + clause
→ "tell the board" = TELL + person (board)
Most Common Mistakes
Quick Reference Cheat Sheet
Use SAY when...
- → You just want to report words (no need to say who): "She said she was happy."
- → You use direct/quoted speech: "He said, 'I'll be there.'"
- → Fixed phrases: say hello, say sorry, say goodbye, say a prayer, say yes/no
Use TELL when...
- → You name WHO received the information: "He told me (that) he was leaving."
- → You report an instruction: "She told him to sit down."
- → Fixed phrases: tell the truth, tell a lie, tell a story, tell a joke, tell the time, tell the difference
The simplest test: Ask yourself — am I saying WHO heard it? If yes, use TELL. If no, use SAY.
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
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative (Say)
|
Subject + said + (that) + clause
|
He said he was happy.
|
|
Affirmative (Tell)
|
Subject + told + person + (that) + clause
|
He told me he was happy.
|
|
Negative (Say)
|
Subject + didn't + say + message
|
She didn't say anything.
|
|
Negative (Tell)
|
Subject + didn't + tell + person + message
|
She didn't tell us the news.
|
|
Question (Say)
|
What + did + subject + say?
|
What did they say?
|
|
Question (Tell)
|
What + did + subject + tell + person?
|
What did they tell you?
|
|
Imperative (Tell)
|
Tell + person + to-infinitive
|
Tell him to wait.
|
|
Say with Person
|
Say + to + person
|
What did you say to him?
|
Formality Spectrum
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)
The Say vs. Tell Decision Map
Use TELL
- Mentioning the listener Tell me
- Giving orders Tell him to go
- Stories/Jokes Tell a joke
Use SAY
- Focus on words Say 'Hello'
- That-clauses Say that it's cold
- With 'to' Say to her
Grammar Structure Comparison
Which verb should I use?
Are you mentioning the listener immediately?
Examples by Level
He says 'Hello'.
Tell me your name.
She said 'Yes'.
They told us the secret.
I told him that I was busy.
What did you say to her?
He told a very funny joke.
She said she didn't like the food.
The teacher told the students to open their books.
I said that I would think about it.
Can you tell me how to get to the station?
He said to me that he was moving to London.
It is said that the castle is haunted.
He told me off for being late again.
I couldn't tell if she was joking or not.
She said she'd been waiting for over an hour.
To tell you the truth, I'm quite disappointed.
The evidence says otherwise.
I was told that the position had been filled.
Needless to say, we were all very surprised.
There is much to be said for his approach.
The clock told of a time long forgotten.
He has the final say in all budgetary matters.
I can't tell one twin from the other.
Easily Confused
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
Sentence Patterns
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.
The 'Me' Test
No 'To' with Tell
Inanimate Objects
Softening Commands
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'.
Pronunciation
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.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
TELL needs a TAIL (a person at the end of the verb). SAY is for what you SPAY (speak/display).
Visual Association
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
Challenge
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.
Cultural Notes
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).
Conversation Starters
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?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
She ___ 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 each item on the left with its pair on the right:
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 Exercises
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:
Match the reported verb with the correct structure:
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:
Match the sentence beginning with the correct continuation:
Score: /12
FAQ (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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