Language/English/Grammar/Common-Mistakes
When do we use 'say' and when do we use 'tell'?
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SAY and TELL are often confused or misused.
You SAY something to someone: Fred said hello to us.
You TELL someone something: Bill told Alice he was bored.
SAY
- Say is used to report someone's words:
- She said "I'm hungry. I would like something to eat."
- She said (that) she was hungry and would like something to eat.
- She said she would stop by to visit with her sister on her way home.
- Say is followed by 'to' before the object:
- Did he actually say that to you?
- Please say a few words to my parents before you leave.
- Say hello to your parents for me.
- Say is used to ask about languages:
- Do you know how to say 'rain' in Russian?
- How do you say 'pencil' in Russian?
- We SAY:
'hello', 'goodbye', 'please, 'thank you', 'yes', 'no', 'congratulations', 'good luck', 'sorry', 'excuse me', 'Merry Christmas', 'Happy New Year', 'see you soon'...
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TELL
- Tell is used to inform or instruct:
- Could you please tell me the way to the bus depot?
- Tell me what she is doing!
- Tell me the truth!
- Tell is followed directly by the object (no 'to'):
- Did he tell you his name?
- Vladimir will tell us the latest news.
- The teacher told Alan to stop making noise.
- Tell is used for narration:
- Issac has alway excelled at telling stories.
- Can I tell you about my recent trip to China?
- Please tell me how you met your husband/wife.
- We TELL:
the time, our name, how to do something, the truth, a secret, a story, a joke, the difference between two things, the way to the store, where something is...