Say vs. Tell – Which is Correct?

Say and tell are both common verbs used for communication, but they differ primarily in whether a direct or indirect object specifying the listener is present. Say focuses on the words spoken, while tell emphasizes the act of conveying information to someone. Both are grammatically correct and widely used in English, with distinct grammatical patterns governing their usage.

Say or Tell – Which is Correct?

Both “say” and “tell” are grammatically correct verbs in American English, but they are used in different contexts. The core distinction lies in their grammatical patterns and the emphasis they place on the communication act. Say typically focuses on the content of the message itself, or the words uttered, and does not require an indirect object (the listener) immediately after it. If a listener is mentioned with say, it generally uses the preposition “to” (e.g., “She said to him”).

Conversely, tell almost always requires an indirect object—the person or entity being addressed—immediately after the verb (e.g., “She told him”). It emphasizes the act of conveying information or a message to a specific recipient.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

The easiest trick to remember the difference is to consider whether a direct recipient of the message is explicitly mentioned. If you are speaking to someone, you will almost always use tell followed by the person. If you are simply stating words or expressing an idea, say is usually the correct choice. Think: “You tell a person something,” but “You say something.”

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Say	Verb	To utter words; to express in words. Focus on the message.	She said, “Hello!”
Tell	Verb	To communicate information to someone; to narrate. Focus on the recipient.	He told me a secret.

How to Use Say

The verb “say” is used when the focus is on the words themselves, the utterance, or the content of the message. It typically does not take an indirect object (the listener) directly after it. If you need to specify the listener, you must use the preposition “to” before the indirect object. “Say” can be used in both formal and casual contexts.

Example 1: She said that she would be late for the meeting.

Example 2: “I love your new haircut,” he said to his friend.

Example 3: The sign clearly says “No Parking.”

What are the different forms of Say?

“Say” is an irregular verb. Its principal forms are:

• Base form: say
• Third-person singular present: says
• Past simple: said
• Past participle: said
• Present participle: saying

Etymology of the word Say

The word “say” comes from the Old English word secgan, meaning “to utter, tell, relate, speak, declare.” It is cognate with Old Norse segja and Old High German sagēn. Its roots trace back to Proto-Germanic *sagjanan.

How to Use Tell

The verb “tell” is used when the focus is on communicating information to a specific person or group. Unlike “say,” “tell” almost always requires an indirect object (the listener) immediately after the verb, before the direct object (the message). “Tell” can also be used to mean to narrate a story, give an instruction, or reveal a secret. It is common in both formal and informal speech.

Example 1: Could you please tell me the time?

Example 2: The teacher told the students to open their books.

Example 3: He decided to tell her the truth about what happened.

What are the different forms of Tell?

“Tell” is also an irregular verb. Its principal forms are:

• Base form: tell
• Third-person singular present: tells
• Past simple: told
• Past participle: told
• Present participle: telling

Etymology of the word Tell

The word “tell” derives from the Old English word tellan, meaning “to recount, narrate, calculate, reckon, consider, esteem.” It is related to Old Saxon tellian and Old High German zellen. The Proto-Germanic root is *taljanan, meaning “to count, tell.”

Related Concepts

Understanding the broader grammatical concepts related to verbs of communication can help clarify the usage of “say” and “tell.”

• Direct and Indirect Objects: Verbs like “tell” often take both an indirect object (the recipient of the action, usually a person) and a direct object (the thing being acted upon). “Say,” on the other hand, usually takes only a direct object (the words) or uses a preposition to introduce an indirect object.
• Reported Speech (Indirect Speech): Both “say” and “tell” are crucial for reporting what someone else said. When reporting speech, “say” is often used with a “that” clause (e.g., “He said that he was busy”), while “tell” is used with an indirect object and a “that” clause or an infinitive (e.g., “He told me that he was busy” or “He told me to be busy”).

Examples from Media and Literature

• “All right,” he said, “I’ll go.” (Focus on the words uttered)
• “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard that before,” she sighed. (Focus on conveying information to someone)
• The ancient prophecy said that a hero would rise. (Focus on the content of the prophecy)
• “Tell me a story,” the child pleaded, nestled in their parent’s arms. (Asking someone to narrate to them)
• He often said that kindness was the most important virtue. (Expressing a general statement or belief)

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. She ______ him she would be late.
2. “I’m tired,” he ______.
3. Can you ______ me what time it is?
4. The book ______ a fascinating story about ancient civilizations.
5. Please don’t ______ anything to anyone.

Answer Key

1. told
2. said
3. tell
4. tells
5. say

Say Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Speak	To utter words, to converse.
State	To express something definitely or clearly in speech or writing.
Utter	To make a sound with one’s voice; to speak or pronounce.
Articulate	To express (an idea or feeling) fluently and coherently.

Tell Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Inform	To give (someone) facts or information.
Communicate	To impart or transmit information or feelings.
Reveal	To make (previously unknown or secret information) known to others.
Narrate	To give a spoken or written account of something.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can I use “say to me” instead of “tell me”?
Yes, “say to me” is grammatically correct, but it is often less common or sounds more formal than “tell me.” “Tell me” is generally preferred when you are directly asking someone to convey information to you.

Question 2: Is “tell” always followed by a person?
Almost always. “Tell” typically requires an indirect object (the listener) immediately after it. There are a few idiomatic exceptions, such as “tell a story” or “tell the truth,” where the indirect object is implied or not explicitly stated.

Question 3: What about phrases like “tell a joke” or “tell a lie”?
These are common idiomatic expressions where “tell” is used to mean “to narrate” or “to utter” a specific type of information or story. In these cases, “tell” is still emphasizing the act of conveying the message to an implied or actual audience, even if the direct object is not a person.

Conclusion

Mastering the distinction between “say” and “tell” is a fundamental step in achieving clarity and precision in English communication. While both verbs relate to speech, “say” emphasizes the content of the words, often without specifying a listener directly, whereas “tell” highlights the act of conveying information to a specific recipient. By remembering that “tell” almost always needs a listener (an indirect object) immediately after it, and “say” usually does not, you can confidently navigate their usage.

Pro Tip: Using “say” and “tell” correctly not only improves your grammar but also enhances your professional reputation, demonstrating a strong command of the English language in all your communications.