What is the difference and when do we use each one?
The words TELL and SAY or, in past simple, TOLD and SAID have a similar meaning; however, different intention and content.
For example, TOLD is used to inform and to be imperative, when SAID is more general, and is used to express something. That is why SAID is used for direct speech.
Here are some examples of that:
He told me he will be there at 8 p.m. – informative
He said, “How may I help you?” – direct speech, fact
She told me not to help her. – imperative
She said to me, ” I love you!” – direct speech, fact
Here is another rule to remember:
said/say + something
told/tell + somebody something
You say something
You tell somebody something
Megan said that she was sleepy.
Megan told me not to wake her up.
Ann said she wanted to stay at the party.
Ann told me she had to be at work by 8 am.
Mike said: “I love you.”
Mike told Jenny that he loved her.
As you can see, TOLD is usually followed with a personal object or name (me, her, him, Jenny), but SAID does not need a personal object.
If you want to use SAID with a personal object instead of TOLD, you must add TO SOMEONE (said + to someone):
He said to me that he was sleepy.
Ann said to him that she wanted to go home.
Mike said to me that he loved me.
Remember!!!!
She told to me that she was sleepy – INCORRECT She told me that she was sleepy – CORRECT
He told that he likes juice – INCORRECT He said that he likes juice – CORRECT
Ann said Jack to go away – INCORRECT Ann told Jack to go away – CORRECT
Ann said Jack that she was sleepy – INCORRECT Ann told Jack that she was sleepy – CORRECT
