Like many other words in English, “tell” (say / speak) and “say” (say / speak) are just two more that have similar meanings and that, therefore, can cause a lot of confusion regarding their use.
However, it is not a difficult task to learn to use them correctly, as there are certain “rules” that can help this process. We will demonstrate in this text how the words “tell” and “say” should be placed properly in each situation.
When to use “tell” or “say”?
In English, we use "say" when we say something and "tell" when we say something to someone. See some examples:
My mother asked if I was looking for a movie release and I leftyes.
My mom asked if I was looking for a movie release and I said yes.
she awning me she loved living here!
She told me she loved living here!
Ingrid leftshe really wanted to be there.
Ingrid said she really wanted to be there.
I awning Maysa I was going home late today.
I told Maysa I was going home later today.
Now let's see some rules that can help you (a) to use these words correctly. These rules have exceptions, but they are a direction that can be easier to use.
Rules for using “Tell” and “Say” in English
we use “tell” when we want to say something to someone (specific). In sentences where we use the word "tell", we will direct our speech to someone. when we use "say", we don't need to say to someone.Look:
she tellto me that she was very sad.
She told me she was very sad.
Sarahtell to Gabriel that she need his help with the homeworks.
Sarah tells Gabriel that she needs his help with homework.
rony tellto his mother that he loved her.
Ron told his mother he loved her.
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she was trying to say what it is.
She was trying to say what this is.
I just ask you one thing: say the truth.
I ask you only one thing: tell the truth.
I'm sorry, but I cannot sayanything about it.
I'm sorry but I can't say anything about it.
“Say” and “Tell” can be used in direct speech, but “Tell” appears more recurrently. An example of the use of “say” in this type of discourse would be when giving information or instruction. See the examples:
Karla left, “Good morning, mr. Harry. How's everything?”
Karla said, “Good morning, Mr. Harry. How's everything going?"“That is awesome,” he left.
This is amazing, he said.my fatherawning me: "Open the window!"
My father told me: Open the window!they awningme, "We never did this before."
They told me, "We've never done this before."
The use of "say" in questions in direct speech:
he left: "Do you really love me?"
He said, "Do you really love me?"
We can also use the "tell" when we want to give advice or an order. See the sentence structure in this case: tell + object + infinitive.
we use tell + object + infinitive for orders or advice:
he awning her to sit down.
He told her to sit down.they awning me I should dance.
They told me I should dance.
There are some cases where the use of the word "tell", to know:
Tell... a story / Tell (...) a story.
Tell a … lie / Tell … a lie.
Tell the … truth / Tell the … truth.
By Janaína Mourão
Graduated in Letters - English
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
MOURãO, Janaína Pereira. ""Tell" or "Say"?"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/ingles/tell-ou-say.htm. Accessed on June 28, 2021.
