B1 · vocabulary

Say or Tell Exercises (B1) — Free

Say or tell: with or without a person

'Say' and 'tell' have similar meanings, but they are used in different patterns. 'Tell' is usually followed directly by the person who listens: tell me, tell your parents, told us. 'Say' is not followed directly by a person: she said that she was tired, or, if you want to mention the listener, say something to someone (He said to me that...). That's why 'she said me' is a very common mistake: it should be 'she told me' or 'she said to me'. Some expressions always use 'tell': tell a story, tell a joke, tell a lie, tell the truth, tell the time, tell the difference. Others always use 'say': say hello, say goodbye, say sorry, say yes or no. Remember the past forms: say, said; tell, told. In each item, write say or tell in the correct form.