2006-10-27 10:44:35 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Say is a general way of saying speaks out loud.
To tell is to speak of something specific to another person.
Tell also means to differentiate between two or more things. For instance if you arent sure the difference between 'say' and 'tell' then you can't 'tell' the difference.
2006-10-27 10:48:03 · answer #1 · answered by vanman8u 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think its a grammar thing..
based on usage
You say something to someone.
whereas
You tell someone something.
hope the following explanation clarifies your doubts
Said v. is the past simple and past participle of to say.
It can be used in direct speech:
For example: "I am sorry", said the criminal.
It can be used in indirect (reported) speech (followed by that).
For example: "The criminal said that he was sorry.
Said adj. is used before the name of a person or thing you have already mentioned:
For example: "The said party denied the charges"
Told v. is the past simple and past participle of to tell.
It is normally used in reported speech, i.e. it is used to talk about what people say (followed by an object + that:):
For example: I told him that I would be late.
When told has the meaning of "instruct", it can be followed by an object and an infinitive.
For example: He told me to leave.
hope thats helpful
cheers!!
:)
2006-10-27 11:00:23 · answer #2 · answered by The phoenix 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To Say.... implies you are simply using the art of speech.
To Tell .... Implies you are saying something specific (informational) to a person.
2006-10-27 10:50:49 · answer #3 · answered by literary_angel 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's possible to SAY things when there's nobody about to hear or indeed not even SAY them to anyone/thing in particular, however, If you TELL something there is usually someone to accept or hear the words.
2006-10-27 10:49:39 · answer #4 · answered by THE BULB 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would think that to tell would be to pass information verbally, whereas to say is simply to speak (not necessarily informatively)
2006-10-27 11:08:48 · answer #5 · answered by PAUL H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tell has 4 letters say only has 3
2006-10-27 10:49:44 · answer #6 · answered by Rizzo 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
"Say" is general and doesn't need a listener (you can say something under your breath etc) whereas "tell" requires a listener (you tell someone something).
Also it depends on collocation (how words go together) eg
SAY - hello, thank you, please, goodnight, etc
TELL - the truth, a lie, a story, a joke etc
2006-10-27 11:49:31 · answer #7 · answered by fidget 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
totally interchagneable, though tell can imply a command, whereas say can imply "information only"
2006-10-27 11:42:24 · answer #8 · answered by Jo Maxi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tell has authority and say is reporting
2006-10-27 10:58:19 · answer #9 · answered by James B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tell is demanding and say is asking if you get my meaning
2006-10-27 10:46:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋