Say vs Tell – Stop Making This Common Mistake

5 Minute English Talk · Apr 27, 2026 · 3m

In this episode of 5-Minute English Talk, we break down the difference between “say” and “tell” in a simple, clear, and practical way — so you can start using them correctly right away.Here’s the key rule:

Use “tell” when you mention a person.

“She told me that she was tired.”

“He told us a funny story.”

Use “say” when there is no person, or with “that.”

“She said that she was tired.”

“They said they would come tomorrow.”

We also fix common mistakes like:

Wrong: “She said me the news.”

Correct: “She told me the news.”

Wrong: “He said her a secret.”

Correct: “He told her a secret.”

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