Say vs Tell

Do you ever wonder when to use “say” and when to use “tell”? Don’t worry — you’re not alone! These two verbs confuse many English learners, but the good news is… the difference is actually simple once you know the rule! Let’s break it down together!

💡 The Basic Rule

Say – Examples:

• He said hello.

• She said it was raining.

• They said they were hungry.

❌ Don’t say: “She said me she was tired.” → That’s incorrect.

Tell – Examples:

• He told me a story.

• I told her to be careful.

• They told us the news.

⚠️ Tell always needs a person after it: “me, you, him, her…”

✨ Quick Tip to Remember

Say = words
Tell = information + person

✅ “She said she was sorry.”
✅ “She told me she was sorry.”

🗣 Practice Sentences (Try to complete them!)

1. My teacher _______ (say/tell) that the test is tomorrow.

2. I _______ (say/tell) my friend a funny joke.

3. She _______ (say/tell) me she was late.

4. He _______ (say/tell) goodbye and walked away.

🎯 Summary

• Use say when you are just reporting words.

• Use tell when you say something to someone.

• If you’re not sure — ask yourself: “Do I have to mention who I’m talking to?”

Want to test your Say and Tell skills and learn more about it?

We created printable worksheets with Japanese translations so you can understand better and practice more!

🔜 Coming soon — grammar bundles & worksheets will be available here!
Follow us on Instagram@kohaku_english_online for updates 💛

Disclaimer:

English has many exceptions, and sometimes native speakers break the rules too! The explanations here are meant to give you a strong foundation, but don’t worry if you come across something different in real life. With practice and exposure, it will all start to feel more natural!