Wit and Humour
Say and tell, and other pairs
Learn when to use say or tell, and other pairs of words that are easy to mix up.
Two lines from the play: "Does anyone want to hear the things that you say?" and "I can't tell you everything." Is there a difference between say and tell? Yes!
Say focuses on the message; it doesn't need a listener. Tell focuses on who hears it; it always needs a listener: you tell someone something. That's why "I can't tell you" has a you, and "the things you say" doesn't.
English has several pairs like this:
| Pair | Difference | Example |
|---|---|---|
| fetch / bring | fetch = go, get it, and come back; bring = take it with you to where you're going | I'll fetch my mother from the station, then bring her home. |
| see / look | see = notice, with or without trying; look = point your eyes on purpose | I looked at the photo, but didn't see anyone I knew. |
| live / stay | live = your permanent home; stay = a short visit as a guest | I live in a small town but often stay with relatives in the city. |
In the play, Mrs Lee "has been staying with them for a while": she's a visitor; she doesn't live there.
Three more:
| Pair | Difference |
|---|---|
| study / learn | study = learning in formal education; learn = gaining knowledge or skill by study or experience |
| speak / talk | speak = often more formal; talk = everyday chat |
| hear / listen | hear = sound reaches you anyway; listen = paying attention on purpose |
"I can hear the music from my neighbour's house, but I need to listen carefully to understand the words."
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