Say
Say is used with the actual words spoken :
He said: ” I don’t think so.”
She said : ” Bring me the book, will you ?”
Say is never used with an imperative in reported speech. It is replaced by: ask, order, tell, want to,….
Examples
| He said: ” Close the door, please .” | I was told to close the door. |
| She said: ” Take this book.” | I was asked to take this book. |
| She said: ” Give me the spoon. “ | She wanted me to give her the spoon. |
| He said: ” Bring it here. “ | He ordered me to take it here |
Tell
The verb Tell is never used with the actual words spoken.
A personal object is always present.
Examples
| He said: ” He will come soon .” | He told me that he would come soon. |
| She said: ” She has just gone.” | The told me that he had just gone. |
| He said to them: ” I can borrow you money, if you like. “ | He told them that he could borrow them money if they liked. |
