SAY vs TELL

Right and wrong

Read these examples of correct and incorrect usage:

We cannot... These are NOT These are possible...

possible...

say someone to do Tara said Jo to go Tara told Jo to go

something away. away.

say someone Panita said me that Panita told me that

something she was hungry. she was hungry.

tell something He told that he likes He said that he likes

coffee. coffee.

tell to someone Tookta told to me that Tookta told me that

she was coming. she was coming.

Tookta said to me that

she was coming.

say a lie Siriluck always says Siriluck always tells

lies. lies.

tell somebody "direct Ram told Nok: "Let's Ram said to Nok:
speech" turn on the TV." "Let's turn on the TV."
(except instructions
and information) (Ram told Nok, "Turn
on the TV.")

(Ram told Nok: "I was

born in 1985.")

say or tell a reported She said if I wanted to She asked if I wanted

question come. to come.

Tookta told what I Took asked what I

wanted to do. wanted to do.
Say or Tell Quiz
1 Anthony      that he was hungry.   
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2 Tara      me that you were ill.   

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3 He      everybody that he is French.   

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4 He     to me that he was angry.   

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5 The doctor     her: "Lie on the couch."   

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6 She     , "That's a great idea!"   

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7 She    : "What's the time?"   

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8 He      that it had snowed the week   

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before.

9 She      me that Bangkok was hot.   

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1 She      if I had ever been there.   

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1 James     him to shut up.   

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1 They      what I felt like.   

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1     him to have a drink and relax.   

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1 He always      his daughter a bed-time   

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4 story.

1 Some people just cannot     the truth.   

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5
1 Panita     that she was disappointed.   
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1 The teacher    : "Have you done your   

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7 homework?"

1 He's 9 years old and still can't     the   

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8 time.

1 His father     him not to come home   

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9 late.

2 How do I know? I can't      the future.

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