General English
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Say and tell are similar in that they both mean to talk or give information to someone verbally. However, there are differences in sentence construction and exact meaning. Can you see the difference between these two sentences?
Fill in the gaps below with either 'tell' or 'say' to show the first rule:
You ________ someone something but you _________ something to someone.
Here some more examples:
Jane said she liked my new shirt > Jane told me that she liked my new shirt His boss said David had to stay late > His boss told David that he had to stay late She said she loved me! > She told me that she loved me!
When using told, you do not have to say 'that'. For example, both of these are correct: Jane told me that she liked my new shirt > Jane told me she liked my new shirt His boss told David that he had to stay late > His boss told David he had to stay late She told me that she loved me! > She told me she loved me!
When you are using reported speech, you can use say and tell.
For example: He said he would be late home. CORRECT He told me he would be late home. CORRECT However, when you are using direct speech, tell is used only when giving a command or instruction. 'Take seat over there' he told me. CORRECT 'Take a seat over there' he said. CORRECT 'It's good to see you' he told me. INCORRECT 'It's good to see you' he said. CORRECT
He said he needed another few days to finish the job. CORRECT He told that he needed another few days to finish the job. INCORRECT He told Bob that he needed another few days to finish the job. (We know the person being spoken to is Bob) CORRECT
Are the following sentences correct? 1. He told me I had to work on Saturday.
2. Dave told that he would be here soon.
3. 'I think you should leave' he told.
4. 'I'll miss you' his girlfriend said.
5. Tell him to come in if he has time.
6. Tell him to come in if he has time.
7. She told to me to stay after class.
answers" targtag="strong"]You TELL someone something but you SAY something to someone.
1He told me I had to work on Saturday.
The answer is This is correct.
2Dave told that he would be here soon.
The answer is This is not correct. It should be 'Dave said that he would be here soon.' or 'Dave told me that he would be here soon.'.
3'I think you should leave' he told.
The answer is This is not correct. This should be 'said'.
4'I'll miss you' his girlfriend said.
The answer is This is correct.
5Tell him to come in if he has time.
The answer is This is correct.
6Tell him to come in if he has time.
The answer is This is correct.
7She told to me to stay after class.
The answer is This is not correct. After tell you don't use 'to'.
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