Say vs Tell

Say and tell mean the same thing but are used in different constructions.

Remember:

• We say something
• We say something to someone
• We say to someone something
• We tell someone something

Preposition to is never used after tell.

Examples:

• Mother said: “I am very happy.”
• Mother said (that) she was very happy.
• Mother said to me, “I am very happy.”
• Mother told me (that) she was happy.

Commands and advice:

Tell someone (not) to do something

Examples:

• The teacher told us to stand up.
• She told me not to worry about the time.

Remember the following phrases with say and tell:

so you say

it goes without saying

tell a story/stories

tell a joke/jokes

tell a lie/lies

tell the truth

tell the future (= to know what the future will bring)

tell the time (= know how to read a clock)

tell apart (=to be able to see the difference between two things/people)

You can read more rules and take several quizzes here:

 https://languageavenue.com/learn-english/intermediate-english/intermediate-vocabulary/item/say-and-tell-intermediate#quizzes

Can you find the mistakes?

1.  Bob said me that he was hungry.
2. Ann told that she had enjoyed the party.
3. My girlfriend told to me that she wanted to get married.
4. I told Sam don't pull the cat's tail.