SAY vs TELL
TELL always takes a person object; SAY usually doesn't (except 'say to someone')
Question 1
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.
She _____ me that she was tired.
Context: Reporting information
🧠Why This Mistake Happens
The Problem:
Spanish uses 'decir' for both SAY and TELL
Linguistic Reason:
Spanish uses indirect object pronouns with 'decir' to clarify the recipient. English determines verb choice based on whether a person object is present: TELL requires a direct object (person), while SAY does not.
Spanish Example:
Spanish: Le dije que vendría = I said/told him I would come
The pronoun 'le' indicates the indirect object, making the distinction clear in Spanish through morphology rather than verb choice
💡 Quick Rule:
TELL always takes a person object; SAY usually doesn't (except 'say to someone')
Exceptions:
- • say hello/goodbye/sorry (fixed expressions)
- • tell a story/joke/lie (fixed expressions)
Common Examples:
She said me the truth
She told me the truth
Direct speech with recipient
I told that I was tired
I said (that) I was tired
Reported speech without recipient
He told, 'I love you'
He said, 'I love you'
Direct quotation
💡 Tips for Success
- •TELL always takes a person object (tell someone)
- •SAY doesn't take person object directly (say to someone)
- •Fixed expressions: say hello/goodbye, tell a story/joke/lie
- •Think: You TELL people things, you SAY things (to people)
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