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Quizzes > Quizzes for Business > Education

ESL Grammar Quiz: Say vs Tell Practice

Improve your use of say vs tell today

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art promoting an ESL Grammar Quiz on the usage of Say vs Tell

Dive into reporting verbs with this free ESL Grammar Quiz: Say vs Tell, where 15 multiple-choice questions sharpen your skills in choosing 'say' or 'tell'. It's perfect for learners and educators looking to strengthen English grammar and can be easily adapted in our intuitive editor. For a comprehensive grammar workout, explore the ESL English Grammar Quiz or challenge yourself with the ESL Grammar & Vocabulary Quiz . Ready for more practice? Browse all our quizzes and get started today!

She ____ 'Good morning' to her friend.
says
speaks
tells
talks
We use 'say' to report spoken words directly. 'Tells' requires an indirect object, and 'speaks' and 'talks' change the meaning.
He ____ me his phone number yesterday.
told
announced
said
spoke
'Tell' with an object (me) is correct for passing information. 'Said' needs no indirect object and the others do not fit this context.
Please ____ me your name.
tell
say
speak
announce
'Tell' is used when giving information to someone with an indirect object (me). 'Say' would need a direct quote rather than an object.
I ____ that I would arrive late.
spoke
mentioned
said
told
'Say' is correct when introducing a clause or quote without an indirect object. 'Told' would require specifying who you told.
They ____ nothing when we arrived.
said
told
talked
spoke
When reporting that someone made no verbal response, 'said nothing' is the correct phrase. 'Told nothing' is unidiomatic.
Fill in the blank: "She ____ him that the meeting was canceled."
spoke
mentioned
told
said
'Tell' requires an indirect object (him) when giving information. 'Said him' is incorrect because 'say' does not take a person as its direct object.
Fill in the blank: "He ____ that he would finish the work by Monday."
spoke
told
informed
said
'Say' is used to introduce a reported clause without mentioning an indirect object. 'Told' would need a listener specified.
Choose the correct sentence:
She said me a secret.
She told to me a secret.
She told me a secret.
She said to me a secret.
The proper structure is 'tell someone something.' 'She told me a secret' correctly places the indirect object before the direct object.
Which sentence uses 'say' correctly to report a fact?
They tell the event was canceled.
They said the event was canceled.
They say me the rules.
They told me the event was canceled.
'Say' is correct when stating a clause without an indirect object. 'Tell' would require a listener, and 'say me' is ungrammatical.
Reporting a command: Fill in the blank: "They ____ us to wait outside."
told
spoke
said
commanded
'Tell someone to do something' is the correct structure for reporting commands. 'Said us to' is incorrect.
Convert to reported speech: He said, "I have finished my homework."
He told me he had finished my homework.
He said to me he had finished his homework.
He said he had finished his homework.
He told that he had finished his homework.
'Say' followed by a clause introduces indirect speech. 'Tell' requires a listener, and 'my homework' changes the original pronoun.
Identify the incorrect sentence.
I said the truth to him.
I said him the truth.
I told the truth.
I told him the truth.
'Say' cannot take a person as its direct object, so 'said him the truth' is ungrammatical. 'Tell' must be used with a person as indirect object.
Which verb is correctly followed by a clause without an indirect object?
tell
say
speak
talk
'Say' can introduce a clause or quotation without naming a listener, whereas 'tell' needs to specify whom you are informing.
Fill in the blank: "He ____ to me, 'Be careful!'"
said
told
spoke
informed
When quoting direct speech, 'said' is used with the quote in commas. 'Told me' would need a following clause or infinitive.
Choose the correct completion: "Don't ____ me what to do."
tell
say
speak
talk
The phrase 'tell me what to do' is the idiomatic way to express giving orders or instructions. 'Say me' is incorrect.
In the passive voice, which verb correctly completes the sentence: "He is ____ to have declined the offer."
speak
said
told
tell
Passive reporting uses 'be said to' plus infinitive for rumors or opinions. 'Be told to' would change the meaning to instructions.
Which verb sequence best completes the sentence: "After the meeting, he ____ that he would follow up and ____ his team to prepare a report."
said; said
said; told
told; said
told; told
We 'say that' when introducing a clause and 'tell someone to' for giving instructions. The order 'said; told' fits both functions correctly.
Which sentence shows correct use of 'say' with the speaker identified at the end?
"I agree," she spoke.
"I agree," she said.
"I agree," she told me.
"I agree," she told.
When using 'say' with direct speech, the speaker tag follows the quote. 'She said' is the standard tag; 'told' requires an object.
Which passive construction is correct when reporting an opinion?
He was told to be innocent.
He was said innocent.
He was told innocent.
He was said to be innocent.
'Be said to' is the correct passive form for reporting opinions or beliefs. 'Told to be innocent' would imply someone gave him instructions.
In the sentence "She told him off," what does 'tell off' mean?
mention
narrate
inform
scold
'Tell off' is a phrasal verb meaning to criticise or scold someone. It does not mean to inform or narrate.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify correct contexts for 'say' and 'tell'
  2. Apply 'say' and 'tell' accurately in conversation
  3. Differentiate usage of 'say' vs 'tell' based on rules
  4. Master construction of sentences with reporting verbs
  5. Evaluate common mistakes in using 'say' and 'tell'

Cheat Sheet

  1. Understand the core difference between "say" and "tell" - When you "say," you're simply expressing words without naming a listener, while "tell" always points to someone you're informing. Mastering this will make your communication clear and precise. Britannica: Say vs. Tell
  2. Remember that "tell" requires a direct object - Unlike "say," which stands alone, "tell" must include who you're speaking to. Think "He told me," not just "He told." This rule keeps your sentences complete and meaningful. Perfect English Grammar: Say vs. Tell
  3. Use "say" for direct quotes and reported speech - When you quote someone's exact words or report speech without naming a listener, "say" is your go-to choice. For example, "She said, 'I'm ready!'" sounds natural and accurate. Britannica: Quoting with "Say"
  4. Avoid using "say" with a direct object - It's incorrect to write "She said me the truth." Instead, switch to "tell": "She told me the truth." This simple swap keeps your grammar solid. Virtual Writing Tutor: Said vs. Told
  5. Use "tell" for commands and instructions - When issuing orders or giving instructions, "tell" is the correct choice: "The coach told us to warm up." This emphasizes who must follow the direction. Key Differences: Say vs. Tell
  6. Recognize common expressions with "tell" - Some phrases only work with "tell," such as "tell a lie," "tell a story," and "tell the truth." These fixed expressions sound odd with "say," so memorize them as a package. Present Simple ESL: Say vs. Tell
  7. Use "say" to express opinions or thoughts - When sharing general beliefs or hearsay, "say" is perfect: "They say it might snow tomorrow." This lets you convey ideas without pinpointing a speaker. Britannica: Expressing Opinions
  8. Be cautious with indirect speech - In indirect speech, "say" can stand alone ("He said he was tired"), but "tell" still needs an object ("He told me he was tired"). Spotting this nuance sharpens your writing. Perfect English Grammar: Indirect Speech
  9. Practice with exercises to reinforce understanding - The best way to lock in these rules is through drills, like filling blanks or rewriting sentences. Regular practice transforms tricky distinctions into second nature. EnglishGrammar.org: Say vs. Tell Exercises
  10. Review and correct common mistakes - Keep an eye out for slip-ups like using "say" with an object or forgetting the object after "tell." A quick review session can banish these errors for good. Virtual Writing Tutor: Common Mistakes
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