Distinguishing Between Say & Tell

Say vs Tell

Say and tell are two verbs that people often confuse due to the similarity in their meanings. Say is used as a verb, noun, and exclamation, while tell is used as a verb and a noun. Both words have their origins in Old English, with say coming from the word secgan and tell from the word tellan. Both say and tell are used in various phrases such as “go without saying,” “have something to say for oneself,” “as far as one can tell,” and “I tell you.”

What does Say mean?

Say is not typically used with a personal object, as seen in the sentence “He said that he would be in time.” The verb say is used with direct speech, like in the sentence “Robert said ‘Come tomorrow.'” Additionally, say is used in reported speech to convey a piece of information, such as in the sentence “I said that I was too young then.” The verb say is also used with objects like a word or a name, as in “Robert said a naughty word.”

What does Tell mean?

Tell is used with a personal direct object, as seen in the sentence “He told me that he would come in time.” The verb tell is used in direct speech when giving a kind of instruction or information, like in the sentence “I told him ‘Go straight and turn right.'” Tell is also used in reported speech to convey a piece of information but not a question, as seen in the sentence “She did not tell me where she was at that time.”

Key Takeaways

• Tell is used with a personal direct object, while say is not usually used with a personal object.
• Say is used with direct speech, while tell is used in direct speech when providing a kind of instruction or information.
• Both say and tell are used in reported speech to give the idea of information but not a question.