To say or to tell

Little Dolly was singing rhymes

"Johnny Johnny yes papa..

Saying lies no papa..”


Daddy: Are you sure Johnny is "saying" lies?


Dolly: Ma'am said he said lies


Daddy: he "said" or he "told"


Dolly: No, "She" said


Daddy: Nah, that doesn't sound right. It should be "Telling lies" and not "Saying lies"


Dolly: Isn't "saying" same as "telling"?


Daddy: There's a slight difference though. For now, just imagine


Say + to = Tell


When you say something in particular or to someone particular, it is telling, whereas something general is saying


Ex. Look at the usage of say and tell within the same context in this conversation


A) He says he is not coming

B) But he told me that he'd come

A) Yes, he just told that he cannot make it today

B) I keep telling him not to miss it

A) Yeah, every time he says a new reason 😎



Dolly: Alright, so you mean to say "Saying lies is not ok"


Daddy: absolutely


Dolly: "Telling lies is ok then?"


Daddy: Wish I had seen that coming 😔

















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