Say or Tell

A

Tell / Told / Told

Tell is used only to instruct or inform, and when the receiver of the information is included as an object of the verb. Do not use for quotes.

Examples:

• Tell me about the movie. Did you like it?
• Peter, I told you not to eat any cookies before dinner!
• Did you tell Sam about what happened at school today?
• The police told us that the situation was under control.
• Derek and Melissa told everybody that they were engaged to be married.
• You should tell her what you think about her idea.
• Don't worry, I won't tell anyone your secret.

B

Say / Said / Said

Say is most often used without a personal object. It is also used to express opinions.

With say (present) or said (past), we can use these structures:

• say (something)
• say that (something)
• say (something) to (a person)

Examples:

• Francis says she doesn't like chocolate.
• I said that the new website design was great.
• What did the teacher say to you when you failed the test?

Say is used for exact quotes, and when the receiver isn't mentioned in the sentence:

• "Good morning," said the woman behind the counter.