Difference between TO SAY and TO TELL

[Leon]

English Synonym, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #69 "Synonyms for lonely and alone", question 7

He didn't say a ......... word to defend himself.

(a) single
(b) lonely
(c) solitary
(d) alone

English Synonym, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #69 "Synonyms for lonely and alone", answer 7

He didn't say a single word to defend himself.

Correct answer: (a) single
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what is the difference between to say and to tell

Leon

[Daniela]

Dear Learner,
Tell is usually used with an object with the idea of informing. For example:
He told me that she would arrive soon. (=He informed me that...)
Say doesn't usually take an object and is used with the idea of making a statement.
"She will arrive soon", he said. (= "She will arrive soon", he stated.)
But you can also say:
"She will arrive soon", he told me. (Here we have an object and that's why we use tell and not say.)
Hope this will help for a start
Daniela
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[Joanabelyn]

Why it is not ok to say " He is not saying the truth".?