THE POCKET TEACHER — POCKET PRACTICE 02
SAY VS TELL

Say something (to someone). Tell someone something.
Past forms: say → said; tell → told.
Tell the truth / a lie / a story can be used without a listener.

Choose say/tell or said/told as appropriate:
1. She ___ hello to her neighbour.
2. He ___ me about his new job.
3. What did you ___?
4. Please ___ us your name.
5. Anna ___ that she was tired.
6. Did you ___ him the truth?
7. “See you tomorrow,” he ___.
8. They ___ the children a story.

MAKE IT YOURS
My friend said...
I told my friend...

ANSWER KEY
1. said — Use said for the words she spoke. Before the listener, use to.
2. told — Me is the listener: told me about something.
3. say — After did, use the base form say. The question asks what words you used.
4. tell — Us is the listener: tell us something.
5. said — Said can introduce a that-clause without naming a listener.
6. tell — After did, use tell. Him identifies the listener.
7. said — Use said to report the words someone spoke.
8. told — The children are the listeners: told someone a story.

https://thepocketteacher.com/grammar/say-vs-tell/
Small lessons. Real English.