Say vs Tell: What's the Difference?
Quick Answer
Say = focus on the words (no personal object needed)
Tell = communicate to someone (requires a personal object)
Explanation
SAY
Focus on the words spoken
say + (that) + clause
say + "direct speech"
"She said she was tired."
"He said, 'Hello!'"
TELL
Communicate to a specific person
tell + person + (that) + clause
tell + person + to do
"She told me she was tired."
"He told her to wait."
Key Rule: "Tell" ALWAYS needs a person after it. "Say" does NOT take a person directly (use "say to" if needed).
Fixed Expressions with TELL:
tell the truth, tell a lie, tell a story, tell a joke, tell the time, tell the difference, tell a secret
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: He said me to go home.
Correct: He told me to go home. / He said to me, "Go home."
Incorrect: She told that it was raining.
Correct: She said that it was raining. / She told us that it was raining.
Practice
Fill in the blank with "say" or "tell":
"Could you _____ me where the station is?"