Can't tell or can't say
Should I use "say" or "tell" in the sentence below?
I can't tell/say she will have XYZ issue or ZYX issue.
Thank you.
Top answer
I can't tell ~ I don't know; I am unable to distinguish the difference I can't say ~ I shouldn't say; I am not at liberty to tell you; I am sworn to secrecy (but, less often, it can also mean the same thing as "I can't tell") Both should be followed by 'whether' or 'if': I can't tell whether she will have X or Y. / I can't tell if ... I can't say whether she will have X or Y.
- I can't tell ~ I don't know; I am unable to distinguish the difference I can't say ~ I shouldn't say; I am not at liberty to tell you; I am sworn to secrecy (but, less often, it can also mean the same thing as "I can't tell") Both should be followed by 'whether' or 'if': I can't tell whether she will have X or Y.
- / I can't tell if ...
- I can't say whether she will have X or Y.
- / I can't say if ...
- I can't tell is probably used a little more often.
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I can't tell ~ I don't know; I am unable to distinguish the difference
I can't say ~ I shouldn't say; I am not at liberty to tell you; I am sworn to secrecy (but, less often, it can also mean the same thing as "I can't tell")
Both should be followed by 'whether' or 'if':
I can't tell whether she will have X or Y. / I can't tell if ...
I can't say whe
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