{"id":1044,"date":"2025-04-14T01:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-14T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/?p=1044"},"modified":"2025-04-14T01:00:03","modified_gmt":"2025-04-14T01:00:03","slug":"say-or-tell-whats-the-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/say-or-tell-whats-the-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"\"Say\" and \"Tell\": What's the Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/say-or-tell-whats-the-difference\/#Focus_Words_or_Information\" >Focus: Words or Information?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/say-or-tell-whats-the-difference\/#%E2%80%9CSay_something%E2%80%9D_vs_%E2%80%9CTell_someone_something%E2%80%9D\" >\u201cSay something\u201d vs. \u201cTell someone something\u201d<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/say-or-tell-whats-the-difference\/#%E2%80%9CTell_someone%E2%80%9D_vs_%E2%80%9CSay_to_someone%E2%80%9D\" >\u201cTell someone\u201d vs. \u201cSay to someone\u201d<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/say-or-tell-whats-the-difference\/#In_Reported_Speech\" >In Reported Speech<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/say-or-tell-whats-the-difference\/#Additional_Meanings\" >Additional Meanings<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/say-or-tell-whats-the-difference\/#%E2%80%9CSay%E2%80%9D_can_mean_%E2%80%9Cthink%E2%80%9D\" >\u201cSay\u201d can mean &#8220;think&#8221;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/say-or-tell-whats-the-difference\/#%E2%80%9CTell%E2%80%9D_can_mean_%E2%80%9Corder%E2%80%9D_or_%E2%80%9Cinstruct%E2%80%9D\" >\u201cTell\u201d can mean &#8220;order&#8221; or &#8220;instruct&#8221;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/say-or-tell-whats-the-difference\/#%E2%80%9CTell%E2%80%9D_is_also_used_for_stories_and_more\" >\u201cTell\u201d is also used for stories (and more)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/say-or-tell-whats-the-difference\/#Quiz_Answers\" >Quiz Answers<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>Pop quiz! What's the difference between the following questions?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Can you tell me your name?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Can you say your name for me?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Why does one sentence use \"tell\" and the other \"say\"?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Read on to learn what makes these two words unique and how to use them both like a native speaker!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Focus_Words_or_Information\"><\/span><strong>Focus: Words or Information?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Even though they seem similar, \"say\" and \"tell\" actually mean different things.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\"Say\" focuses on the words<\/strong> people use to express themselves. Look at the following examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>How do you <strong>say<\/strong> this word in English?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>People often <strong>say<\/strong> \"cheese\" when they smile for <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/picture-this-9-idioms-using-picture\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pictures<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Could you <strong>say<\/strong> that again, please?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The first sentence asks for a word, the second talks about a word, and the third asks someone to repeat words. Because the focus of all these examples is on words, we can only use \"say.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\"Tell\" focuses on the information<\/strong> people give each other when they speak. That's why we use \"tell\" to ask for directions. Asking someone \"Could you <em>say <\/em>how to get to Big Ben?\" would sound unnatural; instead, we say, \"Could you <em>tell<\/em> me how to get to Big Ben?\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are more examples focusing on information that can only use \"tell.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>He <strong>told<\/strong> me his phone number, and I wrote it down.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tell<\/strong> us why you're <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/business-work\/how-to-answer-3-common-interview-questions-in-english\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">interested in this job<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Please <strong>tell<\/strong> me how I can improve my English.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In many cases, \"say\" and \"tell\" are interchangeable. For example, both of these sentences sound natural:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>My tutor <strong>said<\/strong> that I speak English well.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>My tutor <strong>told<\/strong> me that I speak English well.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>They just mean slightly different things. The \"say\" version sounds like you're repeating your tutor's words, while the \"tell\" version focuses more on the information your tutor gave you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CSay_something%E2%80%9D_vs_%E2%80%9CTell_someone_something%E2%80%9D\"><\/span><strong>\u201cSay something\u201d vs. \u201cTell someone something\u201d<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Another important difference between these words is that sentences with \"tell\" must include who the listener is (or was).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, here are some sentences that use \"tell.\" Notice how they all mention the listener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>She <strong>told<\/strong> <em>the man<\/em> her name.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mary <strong>tells<\/strong> <em>her mom<\/em> she loves her every day.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>My manager <strong>told<\/strong> <em>me<\/em> that I need to improve my English to get promoted.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Sentences with \"say\" can mention the listener too, but it isn't necessary. So if mentioning the listener doesn't make sense, just use \"say.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The news <strong>said<\/strong> that it's going to rain today.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A wise person once <strong>said<\/strong>, \"Be the change you want to see.\"<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CTell_someone%E2%80%9D_vs_%E2%80%9CSay_to_someone%E2%80%9D\"><\/span><strong>\u201cTell someone\u201d vs. \u201cSay to someone\u201d<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/10\/04042341\/say_tell_difference_1-2-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"A man apologizing to a woman, who is covering her face with her hands\" class=\"wp-image-9773\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/10\/04042341\/say_tell_difference_1-2-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/10\/04042341\/say_tell_difference_1-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/10\/04042341\/say_tell_difference_1-2-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/10\/04042341\/say_tell_difference_1-2-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/10\/04042341\/say_tell_difference_1-2-840x560.jpg 840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>When you use \"say,\" remember that you need to use the <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/app\/lessons\/a-fly-got-into-my-soup\/ElkNjEvGEeecPvPKXvSTsA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">preposition of direction<\/a> \"to\" if you want to mention the listener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tammy said \"Hi\" <em>to<\/em> Meg.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>My manager said <em>to<\/em> me, \"You need to improve your English to get a promotion.\"<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other hand, we don't use \"to\" when we use \"tell.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Raj told Tammy he was sorry.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Did I tell you what happened?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"In_Reported_Speech\"><\/span><strong>In Reported Speech<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\"Say\" can be used in both <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/app\/lessons\/grammar-grammar-he-tells-me-that-he-cooks\/WL23XmFXEeel5KelFJV0-g?category_id=6r1fXsYHEeimuzOlcF_9gA&amp;course_id=1llXaMYPEeiWI9-YoYwf4A\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">direct and indirect reported speech<\/a>, while \"tell\" is normally only used in indirect reported speech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Direct Reported Speech<\/strong><\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Indirect Reported Speech<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Raj <strong>said<\/strong> \"I'm sorry\" to Tammy.<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Raj <strong>said<\/strong> that he's sorry.<br>Raj <strong>told<\/strong> Tammy that he's sorry.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Mary <strong>said<\/strong> \"I love you\" to her mom.<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Mary <strong>said<\/strong> that she loves her mom.<br>Mary <strong>told<\/strong> her mom that she loves her.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Jim <strong>said<\/strong>, \"I'll be late.\"<\/td><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Jim <strong>said<\/strong> he would be late.<br>Jim <strong>told<\/strong> me he would be late.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Note that the examples in the Direct Reported Speech column would sound a bit unnatural in everyday conversations. Direct reported speech like this is more common in novels and other writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember that the basic meaning of \"say\" is \"express thoughts in words,\" while the basic meaning of \"tell\" is \"inform.\" As a result, English speakers are more likely to use \"say\" to repeat someone's exact words and \"tell\" to <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/study\/one-surefire-way-to-boost-your-english-reading-skills\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">paraphrase<\/a> a message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Additional_Meanings\"><\/span><strong>Additional Meanings<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, \"say\" and \"tell\" have other meanings besides what we've discussed above. Let's have a look at them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>\u201cSay\u201d can mean \"think\"<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Only \"say\" can be used in sentences like these:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>My dad thinks I should find a new job. What do you <strong>say<\/strong>? <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I'd <strong>say<\/strong> there are about 500 people in this room.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>So if someone asks, \"What does Sally say about the new restaurant?\" they're really asking you what Sally thinks about the restaurant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Related article: <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/think-synonyms\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Using Your Head: 15 Different Ways to Say \"Think\"<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>\u201cTell\u201d can mean \"order\" or \"instruct\"<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/10\/04042431\/say_tell_difference_2-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A serious woman gesturing for someone to go away\" class=\"wp-image-9774\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/10\/04042431\/say_tell_difference_2-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/10\/04042431\/say_tell_difference_2-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/10\/04042431\/say_tell_difference_2-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/10\/04042431\/say_tell_difference_2-1-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/10\/04042431\/say_tell_difference_2-1-840x560.jpg 840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In some situations, \"telling\" someone something means giving them an order. When used this way, \"tell\" is usually followed by a verb in the infinitive (\"to\") form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Tell<\/strong> Jim to go away.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The English teacher <strong>told<\/strong> his students to repeat after him. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Notice how \"tell\" in these sentences doesn't mean \"inform.\" For example, the first sentence isn't informing Jim of a fact \u2014\u00a0it's asking him to leave!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CTell%E2%80%9D_is_also_used_for_stories_and_more\"><\/span><strong>\u201cTell\u201d is also used for stories (and more)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>English speakers say \"tell a story\" and not \"say a story.\" The same is true for phrases like \"tell a joke,\" \"tell the truth\" and \"tell a secret.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Grandpa used to <strong>tell<\/strong> us stories every time we visited.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I have some good news to <strong>tell<\/strong> you: I got a new job!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Be careful when using \"tell\" this way because it's grammatically different from the other senses of \"tell.\" The listener can be omitted and the preposition \"to\" is sometimes used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>I <strong>told<\/strong> my sister a joke, but she didn't laugh. I need to get better at <strong>telling<\/strong> jokes. <em>[There is no listener in the second sentence.]<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Amy <strong>told<\/strong> Ben all her secrets. Ben <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/how-to-use-big-like-a-native-speaker\/#Big_mouth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>told <\/strong>her secrets<\/a> to everyone else in class. <em>[\"To\" is used in the second sentence.]<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Quiz_Answers\"><\/span><strong>Quiz Answers<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Did you figure out the difference between these two sentences?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Can you tell me your name?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Can you say your name for me?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>English speakers would say, \"Can you tell me your name?\" when they don't know someone's name and need to be informed of it. On the other hand, they would say, \"Can you say your name for me?\" when they already know the name but want to hear it pronounced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you'd like more practice with \"say\" and \"tell,\" or with speaking skills in general, book an online English lesson with an <a href=\"http:\/\/engoo.com\/tutors\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Engoo tutor<\/a>! We've helped thousands of students reach their English learning goals and we'd like to help you too. Learn more about us <a href=\"http:\/\/engoo.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pop quiz! What's the difference between the following questions? Can you tell me your name? Can you say your name for me? Why does one sentence use \"tell\" and the other \"say\"? Read on to...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":160,"featured_media":11069,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"unified_meta_tagline_field":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[17,53],"class_list":["post-1044","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-language-tips","tag-vocabulary","tag-whats-the-difference"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Say or Tell: What&#039;s the Difference?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"&quot;Say&quot; and &quot;tell&quot; aren&#039;t exactly the same. 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