Difference between say and tell

[CLAU]

Test No. incompl/inter-9 "Say/Tell", question 7

It's no good trying to persuade me because I'm not ......... a word.

(a) tells
(b) saying
(c) telling
(d) told

Test No. incompl/inter-9 "Say/Tell", answer 7

It's no good trying to persuade me because I'm not saying a word.

Correct answer: (b) saying

Your answer was: incorrect
It's no good trying to persuade me because I'm not telling a word.
_________________________

hello
would you explain me what is the difference between TELL and SAY in this context?
THANK YOU

[Torsten]

Please, take a look at these three sentences:

Maria didn't say anything.
Maria didn't tell her husband anything.
Maria didn't say anything to her husband.

TOEFL listening discussions: What started this conversation?

[Anjuvaidoo]

what is the exact difference between say vs tell?

[Alan]

Hi,

'Say' is usually used as another word for 'speak' as you can see in the examples above. 'Tell' is usually used with the meaning of 'relate' (a story) or 'inform'.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Nganguyen]

Hello Alan
In the sentence : It's no good trying to persuade me because I'm not saying a word.
Can you explain for me what is word : persuade in this sentence means? Thanks again.

[Torsten]

"Persuade" in this sentence means to "try to make the other person act or think in a certain way".

TOEFL listening discussions: How many types of IMA passes are available?

[Nganguyen]

Thank you Torsten for your explaination .I'm clear now. and I really don't understand why it will be stop to send my next lesson just because I am watching on topic ? Will you please let me know why ? Thank you.

[Richard]

Hi.
Thank you Torsten and Alan.
as far as I'm concerned.
1-You can tell someone about something ( Did you tell Linda about me....? (NOT say to Linda about...)
2-You can say to do something, but it is more usual to tell someone to do something
The teacher told us to open our books (NOT said us/said to us to...).
3- say is not normally followed by an object. For example, it cannot be followed by 'a story', 'a lie', 'some information', or 'an answer'. You tell a story, a joke, a lie, or the truth
4-You use say when you are mentioning someone's exact words. for instance, 'Hello,' she said. or Someone said, 'Let's go!'
_________________
Who dares to teach must never cease to learn. -John Cotton Dana

[Buihuutan]

hi everybody
im tan .a last year student from hanoi university of industry located in VIET NAM.
i m so delight of reconizing the mistake and a fuzzy understanding about difference between tell vs say. your explantion is so easy and clear. i still wanna thank your web again
hope to recieve and contribute my voice into this forum .nice to make friend with all of you

[Sedans]

Hi.
Would you please tell me can I use "It's not a good trying .... " instead of "It's no good trying...." in the test No.9, question 7 and what is the difference?
Thanks a lot.

[Beeesneees]

The phrase 'not a good trying' doesn't make sense in any situation, Sedans.
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"Inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened."
Terry Pratchett

[Suezana2]

Hi
Could you please tell me ,what dose it mean?
As far as I am concerned"
Thanks in advance.Suezana

[Arrosique]

Hi teachers
In the sentence "I'm not saying a word", would it be correct to say "I'm not going to say a word" instead? Would this phrase have the same meaning and in the same context?
Thank you for your excellent work.

Arturo

[Azadkumar]

Hi Arturo,

The sentences which you have coated above have different meaning. Using 1st one will mean the person who is being persuaded is silently listening the matter. And the 2nd will mean they might have argued and then the person being persuaded said 'i am not going to say beyond it'.

I request Alan to look into the explaination and let us know if i am comprehending the above sentences right or wrong.

Regards,
Azad

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