英語レッスン

Say or Tell

文法

4.94.94.94.94.9

Oct 27 2007

gkisseberth

gkisseberth

レッスン

Many of my Spanish speaking friends often confuse the English verbs 'say' and 'tell'

Both verbs involve the act of speaking, and both can be used to report someone else's speech, so how do you know when to use them?

 The simplest rule to remember is this

  • We SAY something     
  • We TELL someone something  
   
  • TELL is usually followed by a personal object (the person you are taking to) for example:

"I told Ray that he got the promotion."    "Can you tell me how to get to the mall?"

"Please don't tell the teacher that I forgot my homework."

 

  • SAY is usually used without an object. for example:

 

"She said Ray got the promotion."    "Paula says you have a new job."

"The teacher said that the homework was due tomorrow."

 

  • If you want to use a personal object after SAY, you can use "said to" as in

Sally said to Tom "I love you"  or  Anthony said to me that he was busy

(Although these are grammatically correct, I feel that they are awkward)

 

Of course, as with all things English, there are exceptions. There are a few set phrases that always use TELL and not SAY. 

  • tell (someone) a story  or tell a story
  • tell (someone) a lie      or tell a lie
  • tell (someone) the truth     or tell the truth
  • tell the future (= to know what the future will bring)
  • tell the time (= know how to read a clock)

 

Here's a an online quiz you can use to check yourself. TELL me how you do!

 http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/cw-say-tell_quiz.htm 

コメント

1 through 10 of 69 次へ >
1 2 3 ... 7

07:57 PM Oct 27 2007 | 回答

kittyzghz

kittyzghz

China

It’s a very nice article. Thank you very much!

06:01 AM Oct 28 2007 | 回答

gkisseberth

gkisseberth

Colombia

Thanks very much.

01:22 PM Nov 22 2007 | 回答

maria_85

Morocco

thank you a lot ilke that lesson and i benifited alot thank you again

08:32 AM Nov 23 2007 | 回答

zain15

zain15

Saudi Arabia

valuable lesson

Thank you.

10:35 AM Nov 23 2007 | 回答

lorena_gl

Mexico

it helped me a lot….thanks

03:12 PM Nov 23 2007 | 回答

russhel

russhel

Philippines

wow! very sensible!

 

05:26 PM Nov 23 2007 | 回答

xiyuanzi1006

xiyuanzi1006

China

it    is    great    !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111

 

05:58 PM Nov 23 2007 | 回答

zhishi

Antarctica

oh!!  It  is   very   good

06:21 PM Nov 23 2007 | 回答

gkisseberth

gkisseberth

Colombia

Thanks for all the positive comments!

07:26 PM Nov 23 2007 | 回答

刘海艳

刘海艳

China

Good Oh It is very good

1 through 10 of 69 次へ >
1 2 3 ... 7

Super Toolbar

Views: 6417

マイ レッスンに追加!

タグ

another grammar

追加の英語レッスン

メンバーレビュー

elena1

55555

elena1

Belarus

djuicemilon

55555

djuicemilon

Bangladesh

it is a very easy language i like it. again u write than easy language use.

gonzelius

55555

gonzelius

Uruguay

Great lesson! Really useful as it clarified some doubts I had using these two words. Thanks for adding a quiz, too.

dignified

55555

dignified

Turkey

Commendable article.Thanks a lot.

shakict

55555

shakict

Pakistan

What A Beautifull Example..You have solved my prob...I love your articals...

Lesmundo2003

55555

Lesmundo2003

Spain

Atssie

44444

Atssie

India

king2009

55555

king2009

Kuwait

cozmogirl

44444

cozmogirl

Jordan

wow nice

mim_dica

55555

mim_dica

India

hakimi

55555

hakimi

Yemen

medooza

55555

medooza

Poland

55555

honey_bee2009

India

55555

adel28031984

Algeria

hank you very much for these informations

55555

The Dark Lord

El Salvador

55555

448.sniper

Yemen

very cool, thanks

55555

水晶球

China

Thanks !

55555

Sheeba

United Arab Emirates

Its excellant article Thank you

55555

christia

Philippines

this is great.. it helps me a lot..

55555

Asad Khan

Pakistan

who want to become friend and chat to me

コメント:

English, baby!

Ebaby! IM

Instant message friends
with Ebaby! IM

English, baby! Vocabulary Flash Card.


友達を見つける