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Whatchadoin Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

Say/tell

Do native speakers sometimes misuse 'say' and 'tell'?

-If you said hi to me I'd punch you. - Shouldn't be 'told'?

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A couple of minutes ago you 'said'(something). - Shouldn't it be 'told me'?

Thanks.
  

Top answer

whatchadoin Do native speakers sometimes misuse 'say' and 'tell'? Only with a slip of the tongue. whatchadoin If you said hi to me I'd punch you.

— Mister Micawber

  • whatchadoin Do native speakers sometimes misuse 'say' and 'tell'?
  • Only with a slip of the tongue.
  • whatchadoin If you said hi to me I'd punch you.
  • - Shouldn't be 'told'?
  • No.
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2 Answers
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whatchadoinDo native speakers sometimes misuse 'say' and 'tell'?
Only with a slip of the tongue.
whatchadoinIf you said hi to me I'd punch you. - Shouldn't be 'told'?
No. Always 'say' with the words said.
whatchadoinA couple of minutes ago you 'said'(something). - Shouldn't it be 'told me'?
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Saying isn't necessarily telling. When you say something like the Sun rises in the east and sets in the west, then you're telling - you're giving information/facts; but when you say something like hi, or ask a question like how're you doing? then you're not telling.. .
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