What’s the difference between…SAY and Tell?

What’s the difference between….?


You SAY something (to someone)

 

  • Chris said, “I love you, mom.”
  • Tom says he has a new car.
  • I said that I was sorry.

 


 

You TELL someone (something)

 

  • Chris told his mom that he loved her.
  • Tom told me he had a new car.
  • I told him that I was sorry.

 

*Exception with TELL:

  • Tell +  joke/story/lie/truth
  • Mike is always telling jokes.
  • She never tells the truth.
  • He tells great stories.