Differences between say and tell

2. SAY AND TELL
Say is used with an object (which is the reported clause) and an optional
prepositional complement, so in most of the cases it can appear without a
personal object. If we want to put a personal object after say, we use to.
She said (that) she would be late. (NOT She said me…)
And I say to all the people of this great country…
Tell normally has an indirect object (the person who is told), along with a
direct object (which is the reported clause).
She told me that she would be late. (NOT She told that…)
Tell is used without a personal object in a few expressions:
Tell the truth, tell a lie, tell a story, tell a joke, tell the difference, etc.

3. SAY AND TELL
Both say and tell are used with direct and indirect speech. (Say is more
common than tell with direct speech). They function differently in speech
reports. Tell focuses on the content or message of what was said:
She told him they were going on holiday. (Focus on the information)
Say focuses more on the words someone said:
‘Hello,’ she said. (‘Hello,’ she told me)
Tell can be used before object + infinitive, in the sense of ‘order’. Say cannot
be used like this.
I told the children to go away (NOT I said the children to go away)

4. say
Goodbye/Sorry/Thank you/Nothing
Hard to say
Needless to say
Say something loud/Say something again
Not say a word
That is to say
You can say that again!
You don’t say!
Saying/Way of saying/That goes without saying
Have a say

5. Tell
A lie/the truth
A secret/A joke
A story/tales
The difference/right from wrong/tell the time
Only time will tell
The future
A tell-tale
Tell somebody off
Tell on somebody
Storytelling

6. Speak and talk
There is little difference between speak and talk. In certain situations one or
the other is preferred, but they are usually both possible.
Talk is the more usual word for informal communication.
When she walked into the room everybody stopped talking.
Could I talk to you about the football match for a few minutes?
Speak is often used for communication in more serious or formal situations
as well as it is the usual word to refer to knowledge and use of languages
and to the physical ability to speak.
I’ll have to speak to that boy.
His throat operation has left him unable to speak.

7. Speak and talk
We usually use speak for more formal presentations and lectures, and talk
for more informal ones:
Dr. Graham Foster will speak about the history of the region.
Kyle is going to talk us through the benefits of the software.
Speak usually only focuses on the person who is producing the words while
talk focuses on a speaker and at least one listener, and can mean ‘have a
conversation’:
He spoke about the importance of taking exercise.
I hope I can meet you to talk about my plans for the company.

8. Speak and talk
Compare:
He always looks down when he is speaking.
(The focus is on his use of his voice to produce words. Speak focuses
only on the person who is producing the words)
I was talking to Mary yesterday.
(The focus is on the use of words as part of a conversation with
someone else)
We don’t use speak to focus on conversation:
They can talk and get to know each other over dinner.

9. Speak and talk
We usually use to after speak and talk. In more formal situations, people
sometimes use with:
I need to speak to you about this conference next week.
I was talking to Richard Moss the other day about the golf club.
May I speak with you for a moment? (rather formal)

10. speak
Speak up
Speak evil/ill/highly/well of somebody
To speak one’s mind
Can’t speak a word of
Speak with forked tongue
Speak of the devil
Doublespeak
Spokesperson
So to speak
Action speaks louder than words.

11. TALK
Talk back
Small talk
Talk nonsense
Pep talk
Baby talk
Sweet talk (n/v)
Talk is cheap
Heart to heart talk
Talk a blue streak/Be talkative
Talk shop/Talk + noun