Say vs Tell
What's the difference?
Both are about speaking, but they follow different grammar. The trick is whether a person comes right after the verb.
Quick answer
Tell is usually followed by a person (tell me, tell him). Say is not (say something, say that). You tell someone, but you say something.
Compared side by side
(verb) to speak words — usually not followed directly by a person.
- “She said hello.”
- “He said (that) he was tired.”
- “Say something!”
(verb) to give information to someone — usually followed by a person.
- “She told me a story.”
- “Tell him the truth.”
- “Tell me about it.”
How to remember it
tell needs a listener: "tell me / tell her." say doesn't: "say sorry / say that." If a person comes straight after the verb, use tell.
Frequently asked
Why is "he said me" wrong?
Because say isn't followed directly by a person. Say "he told me" or "he said to me." Tell takes the person directly; say needs "to."
What are common fixed phrases?
Say: say hello, say sorry, say yes, say a word. Tell: tell the truth, tell a story, tell a lie, tell the time.