SIMPLIFY PUT
'say something' and 'tell someone'
The basic difference is that TELL usually takes an object; tell someone.
example: I'm afraid I can't tell you (object) for sure but I think it's safe.
SAY does not take an object.
*****An easy way for ESL speakers to differentiate between say and tell is the fact that tell takes an indirect object and say does not.
You say something. You tell someone something. For example: I say “No!” Tell him my decision.*****
TELL
We use 'tell' to give or ask for information.
For example:
"Please tell me your name."
"Could you tell me your address?"
"I told him the time."
***We wouldn't use 'say' in these examples as they are all asking for information.***
Use 'tell' to mean that someone has instructed or informed someone else of something.
'Tell' is often used to report what someone else has told a specific person.
Important Note: 'Tell' is always followed by an indirect object.
The infinitive form is often used following the construction to indicate instructions (see example above).
Verb Forms: Tell - Told - Told - Telling
SAY
Use 'say' to to speak in general about something that has been said by someone.
'Say' is often used to report what someone else has said.
John said he had a good time in Las Vegas.
The teacher often says we need to study more.
Important Note: 'Say' refers to any type of speech and is therefore more general in nature.
Verb Forms: Say - Said - Said - Saying
Direct and indirect speech
We use 'say' and 'tell' in both direct and indirect speech.
DIRECT SPEECH: I said: "I'm hungry." / I told him: "I'm hungry."
INDIRECT SPEECH: I said that I was hungry / I told him that I was hungry.
We cannot use 'say' or 'tell' with indirect questions.
Jim asked (me) if I wanted to play football.
NOT: Jim told/said me if I wanted to play football.
Using objects
With 'tell', we say who is told.
He told me that he liked playing tennis.
NOT: He said me that he liked playing tennis.
NOT: He told that he liked playing tennis.
With 'say', if we want to use a personal object, we use to.
He said to them that he would be late.
With other objects, we don't usually use 'tell'.
He said a strange thing.
NOT: He told a strange thing.
Orders and instructions
A great video explanation1 another video explanation
2 another video explanation
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