Say vs. Tell | English Grammar Worksheet

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of say or tell.

Notes

Use tell before a personal object. Use tell in expressions like tell a story, tell the truth, tell a lie etc,

Use say when there is no personal object.

1. She …………………….. me to be careful. (told / said)

2. ‘Do your homework.’ She ………………………… (said / told)

3. I am going to ………………………… you a secret. (tell / say)

4. He ……………………….. that he was leaving. (say / tell)

5. ‘I want to quit.’ She ………………………. (said / told)

6. She ………………………. me a secret. (told / said)

7. Don’t ……………………….. her anything. (tell / say)

8. I don’t think that she is ……………………….. the truth. (saying / telling)

9. He ……………………… that he wanted something to eat. (said / told)

10. I suspect that she is ……………………… a lie. (telling / saying)

Answers

1. She told me to be careful.

2. ‘Do your homework.’ She said.

3. I am going to tell you a secret.

4. He said that he was leaving. (say / tell)

5. ‘I want to quit.’ She said.

6. She told me a secret.

7. Don’t tell her anything.

8. I don’t think that she is telling the truth.

9. He said that he wanted something to eat.

10. I suspect that she is telling a lie.