Say vs Tell
English vocabulary module focused on the differences between 'say' and 'tell.' Learn how to use these verbs correctly in various contexts with examples and practice exercises.
Core contrast
'Say' focuses on the words spoken and often does not require a listener as a direct object. 'Tell' focuses on giving information to someone and usually requires a listener as a direct object. The main difference is that 'tell' links directly to the person receiving the message, while 'say' links directly to the message itself.
Rule |
|---|
 'Say' is used when the focus is on the words or the message, not the listener. |
 'Tell' is used when the focus is on the listener as the receiver of information. |
 'Tell' normally requires a direct object for the person, such as a noun or pronoun. |
'Say' structure
'Say' is typically followed by the words spoken, a clause, or a prepositional phrase. When mentioning the listener, 'say' uses 'to' before the person. 'Say' does not take a direct object for the person without 'to'.
Rule |
|---|
 Use 'say' with the message, with or without 'to' plus the listener. |
 Use 'say' with 'that' to introduce a clause. |
 Use 'to' with 'say' when identifying who is being addressed. |
'Tell' structure
'Tell' is followed by the person as a direct object and then optionally by the information. 'Tell' can be followed by 'that' to introduce a clause after the person. 'Tell' is also commonly followed by objects like a story, a joke, the truth, or a secret.
Rule |
|---|
 Use 'tell' with a person as a direct object before the information. |
| Use 'tell' with 'that' after the person to introduce a clause. |
 Use 'tell' with fixed objects like 'a story' or 'the truth' after the person or alone. |
Common collocations
Some nouns commonly follow 'tell' because they describe types of information or narratives. These combinations are strongly preferred in standard English. 'Say' is not normally used with these nouns in the same way.
Word/Phrase | Definition |
|---|---|
tell the truth |  Use this to mean give honest information. |
tell a story |  Use this to mean narrate events or a tale. |
tell a secret |  Use this to mean share hidden information. |
tell a joke |  Use this to mean deliver something intended to be funny. |
Summary
Use 'say' for the message itself, often with 'to' if you mention the listener. Use 'tell' for giving information to someone, with the person as a direct object. Remember that 'tell' strongly prefers a person or certain fixed phrases as its object.