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Say and Tell

The document discusses the differences between the verbs "say" and "tell", and "speak" and "talk". Say is used to report what someone has said, while tell is used to inform or instruct someone. Say is followed by an object, while tell is followed by an indirect object. Speak refers to communicating with speech, usually by one person, and can refer to how something is said. Talk refers to an exchange of information between two or more people. Speak has a more serious meaning while talk is more casual.

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Mauricio Barros
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47 views3 pages

Say and Tell

The document discusses the differences between the verbs "say" and "tell", and "speak" and "talk". Say is used to report what someone has said, while tell is used to inform or instruct someone. Say is followed by an object, while tell is followed by an indirect object. Speak refers to communicating with speech, usually by one person, and can refer to how something is said. Talk refers to an exchange of information between two or more people. Speak has a more serious meaning while talk is more casual.

Uploaded by

Mauricio Barros
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Say and Tell

SAY
Say is used to report someone's words:  
    * She said "I'm thirsty." 
    * She said that she was thirsty.
Say is followed by 'to' before the object: 
    * Did she say that to you?

Say is used to ask about languages : 


    * How do you say 'water' in Spanish?

We say : 
   hello, goodbye, please, thank you, 
   congratulations, Merry Christmas, 
   Happy New Year, Happy Birthday!  

TELL
Tell is used to inform or instruct : 
    * Could you tell me the way to the station please? 
    * Tell the children to go to bed! 

Tell is followed directly by the object : 


    *  Did she tell you her name?

Tell is used for narration : 


    * Tom is good at telling stories.

We tell : 
   the time, our name, the truth, lies, 
   the difference between two things.

Differences Between Say and Tell


Use 'say' to speak in general about something that has been said by someone. 'Say' is
often used to report what someone else has said.

John said he had a good time in Las Vegas.


The teacher often says we need to study more.

Important Note: 'Say' refers to any type of speech and is therefore more general in
nature.

Verb Forms: Say - Said - Said - Saying


Use 'tell' to mean that someone has instructed or informed someone else of something.
'Tell' is often used to report what someone else has told a specific person.

Angela told them to hurry up.


Our friends told us about their experiences in Germany.

Important Note: 'Tell' is always followed by an indirect object. The infinitive form is
often used following the construction to indicate instructions (see example above).

Verb Forms: Tell - Told - Told - Telling

Speak and Talk


Speak
The verb to speak means to communicate with speech. This verb usually refers to one
person communicating.

For example,

1) He spoke to the audience about the need for change.


(One person saying something and the audience is listening.)

2) I need to speak to you after class.


(I want to say many things or ask many questions. We are not going to discuss
something.)

It may also refer to how the person is saying something.

For example,

The doctor spoke carefully and slowly.


(We are talking about the way the doctor says something.)

I speak English and French.


(I have the skill of communicating in English and French.)

Talk
The verb talk means to communicate ideas. But, this verb usually refers to two or more
people exchanging or sharing information.

For example,
We talked about my new project.
(We shared a lot of information on my new project.)

I need to talk to my boss about my raise.


(I need to ask some questions and tell him some information.)

Differences Between Speak and Talk


There is no a big difference between these two verbs.  They can often be used in the
same situation. 

For example,

I spoke to Jenny about the meeting.


I talk to Jenny about the meeting.

However, the verb to speak has a more serious or formal meaning. 

For example,

I need to speak to your manager. (I'm a little angry.)

The president spoke about the environment.


(The president made a formal speech about the environment.)

The verb to talk has a more casual or informal meaning. 

For example,

Could I talk to George please?


I talked with my friends until the sun came up.

Overall, many teachers and native speakers feel that speak and talk have about the
same meaning, but one verb is sometimes preferred.

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