Say vs tell
Say something (to someone). Tell someone something.
Past: said / told. Tell the truth, a lie or a story can work without a listener.
Choose say/tell or said/told.
- She ___ hello to her neighbour.
- He ___ me about his new job.
- What did you ___?
- Please ___ us your name.
- Anna ___ that she was tired.
- Did you ___ him the truth?
- “See you tomorrow,” he ___.
- They ___ the children a story.
Make it yours
My friend said…
I told my friend…
Answer key
- said — Use said for the words she spoke. Before the listener, use to.
- told — Me is the listener: told me about something.
- say — After did, use the base form say. The question asks what words you used.
- tell — Us is the listener: tell us something.
- said — Said can introduce a that-clause without naming a listener.
- tell — After did, use tell. Him identifies the listener.
- said — Use said to report the words someone spoke.
- told — The children are the listeners: told someone a story.