Tell & Say. English ESL Worksheets. English grammar with exercises. Free eBook and Free printable PDF
TELL & SAY
Tell & Say
The meanings of tell and say are similar.
The main meaning of tell is to “say or write something to someone.”
The main meaning of say is to “use your voice to express something in words.”
Usage rules for Tell and Say
Tell is used only to instruct or inform, and when the receiver of the information is included as an object of the verb. Do not use for quotes.
- Has she told you the good news, yet?
- Please tell us your name and occupation.
- The police officer told him to stop. [NOT
The police officer told him, “Stop.”] - Can you tell me what happened?
Say is used for exact quotes, and when the receiver isn’t mentioned in the sentence:
- “Good morning,” said the woman behind the counter.
- I just stopped by to say hello.
- I said three words before he interrupted me again.
Say is also used to express opinions:
- I wouldn’t say that he’s a great guitarist [=I don’t think he’s a great guitarist].
- They say that you should drink eight glasses of water a day.
Tell & Say
Exercises
EXERCISE 1
Complete the following sentences using an appropriate form of either TELL or SAY (sentences will be either in the Simple Present or Simple Past).
- I always ………………………… you: don’t water the plants when they’re under the sun! Do it in the late afternoon when it’s cooler!
- People often ………………………… that they are satisfied with their job when they aren’t.
- ‘Are you busy at the moment? I’ve got to ………………………… something important to you.’ ‘No, I’m not. Please, …………………………… me now.’
- Patrick came back from Egypt last week and he ………………………… that he had a really great time there.
- ‘Do you know anything about John?’ ‘Yes, I do. I saw him yesterday at the night club and he …………………………… me that he is working very hard in this period.’
- ‘What does William do?’ ‘He …………………………… he is a policeman.’
- Pam phoned five minutes ago. She …………………………… me that she’s sick today. She will be back at work tomorrow.
- My parents are worried about my brother Sam. He …………………………… them he was on his way home but he hasn’t arrived yet.
- ‘Is Marta coming to my party tomorrow?’ ‘No, I’m sorry she is not. I met her yesterday at school and she …………………………… she had something else to do.
- Who …………………………… you to open the window? It’s freezing in here!!!
- Jim was a bit depressed because of his results in the last Group Class and so I ……………………………… him not to worry about it: learning a language is not so easy.
- ‘…………………………… Mark ………………………… you what happened at the Post office?’ ‘No, he ……………………………… anything to me.’
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