What is the difference between 'say' and 'tell' in English?

The key difference: "Tell" needs a person - you always tell someone something. "Say" doesn't need a person - you just say something.

• Always followed by a person (the object): tell me, tell her, tell the team
• "She told me she was leaving." ✓
• "She told that she was leaving." ✗ (missing the person)

• Not followed directly by a person
• "She said she was leaving." ✓
• "She said me she was leaving." ✗

• "He said me..." → should be "He told me..." ✓
• "She told that..." → should be "She said that..." ✓

• "She said something to me." (not "She said me something")

• Tell the truth, tell a lie, tell a story, tell the time, tell the difference
• Say hello, say sorry, say goodbye, say a word

A quick test: If you can put "to [person]" after it, use say. If you need the person directly after the verb, use tell.

Register: Both are universal. The rule applies in all contexts.

Tags: grammar, verbs, common mistakes, intermediate English, say vs tell