You say something, but you tell someone something: after “tell” there is usually a person, as in “tell me” or “tell the team”. “Say” focuses on the words themselves: “She said it was late.” “Tell” also passes on information or an instruction: “He told us to wait.”
say or tell — can you pick the right one?
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say + something (to + person); say that + clause; tell + person + something; tell + person + to + verb
- She said that the meeting would start half an hour later.
- Can you tell me the way to the nearest station?
- The doctor told me to drink more water and rest for a few days.
What changed
First versionHe said me that the flight was cancelled.
RevisionHe told me that the flight was cancelled.
“Said me” copies the pattern of “told me”, but “say” can't take a person directly. It needs a preposition: “said to me”. In everyday speech, people usually choose “told me” in a sentence like this.
Some fixed phrases with “tell” don't need a person: “tell the truth”, “tell a joke”, “tell a story”. Greetings and apologies go with “say”: “say hello”, “say sorry”, “say goodbye”. For example: “He told a funny story and then said goodbye.”
Your turn
Before the exam, the teacher ___ us to switch off our phones.
Show the answer
told — The gap is followed by “us” and “to switch off”, an instruction to specific people. Only “tell” has this pattern: “tell someone to do something”. It doesn't work with “said”.
Retell a short conversation with a colleague or friend. Use “say” and “tell” at least once each, and mention what you were asked to do.
My colleague said the printer was broken again and told me to send the files to her laptop.
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