What is the difference between say and tell in reported speech?
What is the difference between say and tell in reported speech?
Say and tell are the two verbs most commonly used to report statements in English. We can use either say or tell to do this. Note that when we are quoting direct speech, say is the more commonly used verb as say refers to any kind of speech. Tell is used only with the meaning of instruct or inform.
How do you use the verb tell?
tell to say to somebody that they must or should do something: He was told to sit down and wait. Don’t tell me what to do!…
- to order/tell/instruct/direct/command somebody to do something.
- to order/instruct/direct/command that…
- to do something as ordered/told/instructed/directed/commanded.
When should we use say and tell?
We use say and tell in different ways in reported speech. Say focuses on the words someone said and tell focuses more on the content or message of what someone said: ‘Hello,’ she said. Not: ‘Hello,’ she told.
Where do you use ask?
Here are 8 ways to use the English verb “ask” correctly.
- Ask (someone) for + object. Use “ask for” with the object you want to receive:
- Ask (someone) about + topic. Use “ask about” with a topic that you want information about:
- Ask (someone) + question.
- Ask (someone) to + verb.
How do you use Ask and Tell?
How to use Say, Tell and Ask
- Say. We say: hello and goodbye, please and thank you, happy birthday and congratulations. Say hello to your sister for me. We said goodbye at the airport.
- Tell. Tell is usually followed immediately by a person. Said is not:
- Ask. Ask is used for questions: What is your name?
Where do we use ask?
You can also use ask (someone) for when the thing you want to receive is not a physical object: I asked the teacher for some help with the homework. I’m going to ask my sister for advice. Let’s ask the travel agent for information.
When to use ASK say and tell?
What is the difference between say and tell?
Say and Tell are two verbs that refer to the act of verbally communicating with someone. The main difference between say and tell is that Say is not immediately followed by a personal object whereas Tell is generally followed by a personal object.
What’s the difference between Speak, Say and tell?
Strictly speaking there is a difference between say and tell. However, say and tell are two verbs that are easily confused by virtue of the closeness in their meanings. Say is used as a verb, noun and an exclamation. Say is used as an exclamation only in North American informal context. The verb tell is used as a verb as well as a noun.
When do you use ‘say’ vs ‘says’?
The differences between “says” and “said” is in the tenses that they are used. “Says” is used with the present tense, and “said” is used with the past tense. The main word is “say.” The present tense is “says,” the past is “said,” and the future tense is “will say.”