There are several differences between
tell and
say.
If learning about
say and
tell is new to you, the most important difference, in my opinion, is this:
If you mention the person who hears the words, use tell (told).
Otherwise, use say (said).
The person who hears the words is underlined in the sentences
below. (There may be more than one person who hears the
words.) Note that
tell is used in each sentence.
tell is followed immediately by the person who hears the words (except in the question form - see last example).
I told John the truth.
He told me the truth.
Did Mary tell you the news?
I will tell them that I cannot attend the meeting.
Joseph did not tell anyone that he was feeling ill.
Helen told her parents that Jane would be late.
Don't tell me the answer!
The teacher will tell the class how to do these problems.
Can you tell us what happened last night.
Have you told everyone the address that they must use?
Who did you tell?
In the following sentences, the person who hears the words is not mentioned.
say is used.
Peter says that he needs a new job.
What did John say?
I said that I had an accident.
Did they say what we should do next?
Mary said she enjoyed the party.
No one said that you didn't understand.
There are other patterns, but these should be mastered first.
CJ