Say vs. Tell: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on November 13, 2023
"Say" refers to uttering words or expressing something, while "Tell" involves providing specific information or instructions to someone.
Key Differences
"Say" is a verb that primarily focuses on the act of expressing or stating something. People often use "Say" when they are reporting someone's speech or when they want to indicate the act of verbalizing. On the other hand, "Tell" is used when there's a recipient of the message or when we're providing specific details or instructions. For example, we "Say" something at a conference, but we "Tell" something to a colleague.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 12, 2023
Another distinction lies in the sentence structure. When using "Say," there isn't always an indirect object present. A person can simply "Say" words. With "Tell," however, there's usually an implied or stated recipient of the information. You "Tell" someone a fact, story, or piece of information. Direct and indirect speech also plays a role. We often use "Say" with direct speech, marked with quotation marks. In contrast, "Tell" is more commonly used with indirect speech.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 12, 2023
It's worth noting that both "Say" and "Tell" have various meanings and can be used in multiple contexts. However, in the context of reporting speech or sharing information, the aforementioned rules often apply. For learners of English, understanding the nuances between "Say" and "Tell" can be crucial in ensuring effective and accurate communication.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 12, 2023
Comparison Chart
Function
Expressing or stating something
Providing specific information or instructions
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 12, 2023
Structure
Doesn't always need an indirect object
Usually requires an indirect object
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 12, 2023
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Say and Tell Definitions
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Say
To assume as a hypothesis or possibility.
Let's say, for argument's sake, that she's right.
Sara Rehman
Oct 20, 2023
Tell
To communicate by speech or writing; express with words
She told him that the store was closed. Tell me the truth.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
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Tell
To give a detailed account of; narrate
Told what happened.
Told us a story.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tell
To notify (someone) of something; inform
He told us of his dream to sail around the world.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Say
To state as a determination of fact
It's hard to say who is right in this matter.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tell
To name or number one by one; count
Telling one's blessings.
16 windows, all told.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Say
To give nonverbal expression to; signify or embody
It was an act that said "devotion.".
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tell
To relate a story or give an account of an event
The sailor told of having been adrift for days.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tell
To reveal something that is not supposed to be revealed, especially something that someone has done wrong
She promised not to tell on her friend.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Say
To make a statement or express an opinion or judgment
The story must be true because the teacher said so.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tell
An unintentional or unconsciously exhibited behavior that reveals or betrays one's state of mind, as when playing poker.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Say
The right or power to influence or make a decision
Citizens have a say in the councils of government. All I want is some say in the matter.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tell
A mound, especially in the Middle East, made up of the remains of a succession of previous settlements.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tell
To count, reckon, or enumerate.
All told, there were over a dozen.
Can you tell time on a clock?
He had untold wealth.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tell
To convey by speech; to say.
Finally, someone told him the truth.
He seems to like to tell lies.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tell
(transitive) To order; to direct, to say to someone.
Tell him to go away.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tell
To discern, notice, identify or distinguish.
Can you tell whether those flowers are real or silk, from this distance?
No, there's no way to tell.
I can tell you're upset.
An expert can tell an original from a forgery.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Say
(transitive) To tell, either verbally or in writing.
He said he would be here tomorrow.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Say
(transitive) To indicate in a written form.
The sign says it’s 50 kilometres to Paris.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Say
To have a common expression; used in singular passive voice or plural active voice to indicate a rumor or well-known fact.
They say "when in Rome, do as the Romans do", which means "behave as those around you do."
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tell
(intransitive) To have an effect, especially a noticeable one; to be apparent, to be demonstrated.
Sir Gerald was moving slower; his wounds were beginning to tell.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Say
Suppose, assume; used to mark an example, supposition or hypothesis.
A holiday somewhere warm – Florida, say – would be nice.
Say he refuses. What do we do then?
Say your family is starving and you don't have any money, is it okay to steal some food?
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Say
(intransitive) To speak; to express an opinion; to make answer; to reply.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tell
To inform someone in authority about a wrongdoing.
I saw you steal those sweets! I'm telling!
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Say
To bet as a wager on an outcome; by extension, used to express belief in an outcome by the speaker.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tell
To reveal information in prose through outright expository statement -- contrasted with show
Maria rewrote the section of her novel that talked about Meg and Sage's friendship to have less telling and more showing.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tell
A reflexive, often habitual behavior, especially one occurring in a context that often features attempts at deception by persons under psychological stress (such as a poker game or police interrogation), that reveals information that the person exhibiting the behavior is attempting to withhold.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tell
(internet) A private message to an individual in a chat room; a whisper.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tell
(archaeology) A hill or mound, originally and especially in the Middle East, over or consisting of the ruins of ancient settlements.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tell
To mention one by one, or piece by piece; to recount; to enumerate; to reckon; to number; to count; as, to tell money.
He telleth the number of the stars.
Tell the joints of the body.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tell
To utter or recite in detail; to give an account of; to narrate.
Of which I shall tell all the array.
And not a man appears to tell their fate.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Say
For example; let us assume.
Pick a color you think they'd like, say, peach.
He was driving pretty fast, say, fifty miles per hour.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tell
To make known; to publish; to disclose; to divulge.
Why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Say
(colloquial) Used to gain someone's attention before making an inquiry or suggestion
Say, what did you think about the movie?
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tell
To give instruction to; to make report to; to acquaint; to teach; to inform.
A secret pilgrimage,That you to-day promised to tell me of?
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Say
Trial by sample; assay; sample; specimen; smack.
If those principal works of God . . . be but certain tastes and says, as it were, of that final benefit.
Thy tongue some say of breeding breathes.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tell
To discern so as to report; to ascertain by observing; to find out; to discover; as, I can not tell where one color ends and the other begins.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tell
To make account of; to regard; to reckon; to value; to estimate.
I ne told no dainity of her love.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tell
To give an account; to make report.
That I may publish with the voice of thankgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tell
To take effect; to produce a marked effect; as, every shot tells; every expression tells.
Lest they should tell on us, saying, So did David.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Say
A delicate kind of serge, or woolen cloth.
His garment neither was of silk nor say.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Say
A speech; something said; an expression of opinion; a current story; a maxim or proverb.
He no sooner said out his say, but up rises a cunning snap.
That strange palmer's boding say,That fell so ominous and drearFull on the object of his fear.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tell
A Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer; according to legend an Austrian governor compelled him to shoot an apple from his son's head with his crossbow (which he did successfully without mishap)
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Say
To utter or express in words; to tell; to speak; to declare; as, he said many wise things.
Arise, and say how thou camest here.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tell
Express in words;
He said that he wanted to marry her
Tell me what is bothering you
State your opinion
State your name
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Say
To repeat; to rehearse; to recite; to pronounce; as, to say a lesson.
Of my instruction hast thou nothing batedIn what thou hadst to say?
After which shall be said or sung the following hymn.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Say
To announce as a decision or opinion; to state positively; to assert; hence, to form an opinion upon; to be sure about; to be determined in mind as to.
But what it is, hard is to say.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tell
Narrate or give a detailed account of;
Tell what happened
The father told a story to his child
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Say
To mention or suggest as an estimate, hypothesis, or approximation; hence, to suppose; - in the imperative, followed sometimes by the subjunctive; as, he had, say fifty thousand dollars; the fox had run, say ten miles.
Say, for nonpayment that the debt should double,Is twenty hundred kisses such a trouble?
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tell
Give instructions to or direct somebody to do something with authority;
I said to him to go home
She ordered him to do the shopping
The mother told the child to get dressed
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Say
To speak; to express an opinion; to make answer; to reply.
You have said; but whether wisely or no, let the forest judge.
To this argument we shall soon have said; for what concerns it us to hear a husband divulge his household privacies?
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tell
Inform positively and with certainty and confidence;
I tell you that man is a crook!
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Say
Express in words;
He said that he wanted to marry her
Tell me what is bothering you
State your opinion
State your name
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Say
Report or maintain;
He alleged that he was the victim of a crime
He said it was too late to intervene in the war
The registrar says that I owe the school money
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Say
Express a supposition;
Let us say that he did not tell the truth
Let's say you had a lot of money--what would you do?
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Say
Have or contain a certain wording or form;
The passage reads as follows
What does the law say?
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Say
State as one's opinion or judgement; declare;
I say let's forget this whole business
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Say
Give instructions to or direct somebody to do something with authority;
I said to him to go home
She ordered him to do the shopping
The mother told the child to get dressed
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Say
Speak, pronounce, or utter in a certain way;
She pronounces French words in a funny way
I cannot say `zip wire'
Can the child sound out this complicated word?
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Say
Communicate or express nonverbally;
What does this painting say?
Did his face say anything about how he felt?
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Say
To utter words or express thoughts.
He will say his opinion at the meeting.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 20, 2023
FAQs
Can "Say" and "Tell" be used interchangeably?
Not always, as they have different structures and nuances.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 12, 2023
Can "Say" be used without quoting speech?
Yes, e.g., "I couldn't say what he meant."
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 12, 2023
Does "Tell" imply a longer form of communication?
Not necessarily, but it often involves providing details or instructions.
Harlon Moss
Nov 12, 2023
Is there always a recipient when using "Tell"?
Usually, as "Tell" often conveys information to someone.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 12, 2023
Which verb is more formal, "Say" or "Tell"?
Neither is inherently more formal; context determines formality.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 12, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
