We are often confused about when to use “said” (the past tense of “say”) and “told” (the past tense of “tell”), the simple reason being the similarity in their meanings.
Well, let’s get clear on this…
The meaning of “tell” is to speak or write something to someone; whereas “say” means to use your voice to express something in words.
You “tell” someone something but you “say” something.
Ram said that he was sick.
Ram told Ganesh that he was sick.
Remember…
You cannot “ say” someone to do something.
Tara said Janvi to go away - WRONG
Tara told Janvi to go away – RIGHT
You cannot “say” someone something.
Pamela said me that she was sick – WRONG
Pamela told me that she was sick – RIGHT
You cannot “tell” something.
Saranya told that she loves pizzas – WRONG
Saranya said that she loves pizzas – RIGHT
You cannot “tell to” someone, something.
Tina told to me that she was coming – WRONG
Tina told me that she was coming - RIGHT