ESL BLUE(s) | Troubleshooting say /tell |
Here are some of the most common errors using say / tell , preceded by their correct form:
Correct Form | Common Errors | ||||||||||||
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He said he could not come to the party. He told me he could not come to the party. | He | ||||||||||||
Tell is normally followed by a personal direct object (here = me) and is not often used for direct speech. See next item.
He said, 'I cannot come to the party.'
| He |
Say is more often used to introduce direct speech (when the writer wishes to indicate the exact words used, as in novels). | Tell is not often used to introduce direct speech, but it can be used, for example, to introduce a command or instructions.
It's not true. You're telling lies. | I like it when Bob tells a story. He's a great storyteller. It's not true. You're | I like it when Bob
We do not use say with certain expressions:
| and in these cases it is not necessary to use a personal direct object.
It's snowing. I knew it would and I said so. | It's snowing. I knew it would and I told you so.
It's snowing. I knew it would and I said it.. | It's snowing. I knew it would and I told you it.
It is better to use so rather than it in these situations. It is certainly more common.
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