'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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