Say or tell? 📕

Tell + person

Tell is usually followed by the person we speak to.

She told me the news.

Tell him to call me.

Say + what we say

Say is followed by the words, not by the person.

She said hello.

He said that he was tired.

Say ... to someone

If you want to name the person after say, use to:

What did she say to you?

✗ She said me the answer.

✓ She told me the answer.

✗ He told that he was busy.

✓ He said that he was busy.

Fixed expressions with tell

tell the truth, tell a lie, tell a story, tell a joke, tell the time, tell the difference