Tell vs. Say Usage Explained

In English, ‘tell’ and ‘say’ are both used to describe communication, but they are used differently in sentences. The main difference lies in how we structure sentences and the direction of the communication.

‘Tell’ is typically used when there’s a direct recipient of the information, and it doesn’t require the preposition ‘to.’ For example, we say, “She told me that she was coming,” not “She told to me.” The word ‘tell’ inherently implies that the information is directed at someone, so no additional preposition is needed.

On the other hand, ‘say’ often requires the preposition ‘to’ when referring to the person being spoken to. For instance, “She said to me that she was coming” is correct, as ‘say’ focuses on the act of expressing words, not necessarily directed at the listener.

In this video, you’ll see the distinction in action. We’ll help you practice with examples like “She told me…” and “She said to me…” to reinforce the correct usage. By mastering these differences, you’ll speak more naturally and accurately in English.