Uses

-Used with direct and indirect speech -Say is most used without a personal object If we want to put a personal object after say, we use to. -Used with direct and indirect speech after tell, we usually say who is told, i.e., tell someone something. - only used to mean instruct or inform

Examples
-She said that it was my last chance. -He said Good morning -And I say to all the people of this great country

Say

She told me that she would be late.

She told me that was my last chance.

Tell

- tell is used to tell someone to do something - tell is not used before objects like a word, a name, a sentence, a phrase.

I don't want to tell you again to get your homework done.

- There is not very much difference between speak and talk. - talk is the more usual word to refer to conversational exchanges and informal situations Is often used for one-way communication and for exchanges in more serious or formal situations. - Speak is the usual word to refer knowledge and use of languages.

- When she walked into the room everybody stopped talking.

Talk

- I'll have to speak to that boy- he's getting really lazy. - After she had finished reading the letter, nobody spoke. - She speaks three languages fluently.

Speak

Complete the sentences with: To tell, to say, to speak, to talk in the correct form: a) I don't want to ___________ about this. b) ________ her that Im coming tomorrow. c) What did you __________ to her? d) I __________ my mom that I planned to come home for Christmas. e) We have to ___________ that we plan to launch the new product this week. f) We have to ____________ them that we plan to launch the new product this week. g) What did your boss _________ to you about. h) We __________ about a lot of different topics. i) He __________ that he was satisfied with my work. j) Why didn't you ___________ me?

KEY: a) talk b) tell c) say d) told e) say f) tell g) talk h) spoke i) said j) tell