'say' vs 'tell' in Quoted and Indirect (Reported) Speech

The Grammar HELP!  Student Handbook - Online!

In today's Grammar HELP! Student Handbook - Online! lesson we continue our unit on Indirect Speech (also known as Reported Speech). 

Please keep in mind that all the examples you see below were contributed by ESL students in their writing and reading classes. We bring you only authentic writing.

What's wrong with this sentence?

Problem:   The doctor said me that I don't have any allergies.

'say' vs 'tell'

 

We have provided an introduction to the differences between 'say' and 'tell' in our Verbs chapter. 

To read and study that lesson, please click here: Troublesome Verbs: say vs. tell.

Examples

 

What's wrong with this sentence?
Problem:   The doctor said me that I don't have any allergies.
Solution: 
1) The doctor told me that I don't have any allergies. 
             
 2)  The doctor said that I don't have any allergies.

What's wrong with this sentence?
Problem:   He spoke his wife, "I want to get some sleep.  Leave me alone!"
Solutions: 
1) He said to his wife, "I want to get some sleep.  Leave me alone!"
    2) He said, "I want to get some sleep.  Leave me alone!"
                                 3) He told his wife that he wanted to get some sleep and to leave him alone.


Next... A Quiz on 'say' vs 'tell'

Our next lesson is...

Join us for a quiz and practice exercise for 'say' vs 'tell' in indirect speech.

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