'Say' and 'tell' are two common verbs in English. They have similar meanings. Both mean to communicate verbally with someone. But we use them in different ways.
✅ We say something.
Examples:
- Lauren says that you’re engaged.
- Bill said that he was hungry.
✅ We tell someone something.
Examples:
- Lauren tells me that you’re engaged.
- Bill told Jane that he was hungry.
But, we cannot use say or tell with reported questions.
✅ For these, we must use ask:
➡ Direct:
- He said, “What do you want to eat?”
- She asked, “Have you been there?”
➡ Reported:
- He asked what I wanted to eat.
- She asked if I had been there.
Let’s practice!
Complete the following sentences with say, tell or ask. Remember to conjugate the verbs in the appropriate tenses.
1. Brock _______________ goodbye to me and left.
2. Sid _______________ me not to tell her.
3. The doctor _______________ that I will be fine in a few days.
4. I wonder where Bobby is. He _______________ he would be at the restaurant by 7:00.
5. Don’t _______________ anybody what I _______________. I don’t want anyone to know.
6. _______________ us about your trip. Did you have an amazing time?
7. “Did he _______________ you what happened?” “No, he didn’t _______________ anything to me.”
8. Olivia _______________ me that she wanted to quit her job.
9; Don’t just stand there. _______________ something!
10. Mia _______________ Susan if she wanted to leave.
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