Telling or Saying

Question

Looking at him saying(telling) something to you.
She is pointing her finger and saying(telling) to you that, this car belongs to her.
He is saying(telling) something that I'm unable to understand, could you help me understand what he is telling(saying).

Please help me understand the difference between, Saying and Telling.

Thanks,

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

Say is simply talk or speak.

John says, "I like you." Not John tells.
We always say "please" and "thank you." Not tell.
Say "Ahhhhhh"

Tell is to give information by words. Tell can have a direct and indirect object.

Tell me a story. Not "say"
Don't tell lies. Tell the truth. Not "say."
Tell me what you want. Not "say." (You can use: Say what you want. But that means that you have the freedom to speak.)
Tell us what happened. Not "say."

Both tell and say can be used with indirect speech. They are very similar with indirect speech:

John told me (It is wrong to omit the indirect object when using reported speech) that he passed his exams.
John said me (wrong) that he passed his exams. (He talked about it. )

You can use to+ indirect object with say
John said to me, "I like Jill."

Wonder123 · Answer

Ok thanks, so the below sentences are ok?

Looking at him, he is saying something to you.
She is pointing her finger and saying to you that, this car belongs to her.
He is telling something that I'm unable to understand, could you help me understand what he is saying.

Telling or Saying

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