What is the difference between say and tell?

'Say' focuses on the words spoken and doesn't require mentioning a listener. 'Tell' requires a personal object - you must specify who you're telling (tell him, tell her, tell them).

Can you say 'He said me' or 'He told that'?

No. 'He said me' is incorrect - say doesn't take a personal object directly. 'He told that' is incorrect - tell requires a personal object. Correct: 'He said to me' or 'He told me that.'

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

✔She said that she would be late.

✔She told me that she would be late.

✔What did he say?

✔What did he tell you?

✔Can you tell me the time?

✘She said me that she would be late.

✘She told that she would be late.

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?"