Rules and Examples

RULE: Say cannot be followed by a direct personal object (for example, me, him, her, us, them, John, Peter, Mary). Use told instead.

INCORRECT: I said her to send me the document.

CORRECT: I told her to send me the document.


INCORRECT: The teacher said the class that hot air rises and cold air sinks.

CORRECT: The teacher told the class that hot air rises and cold air sinks.


RULE: Do not use tell with the preposition to. Remove the preposition or rephrase your sentence with say.

INCORRECT: I told to her my phone number.

CORRECT: I told her my phone number.


CORRECT: I said my phone number.


RULE: Do not use it after tell to refer to a fact. Remove the extra word.

INCORRECT: I'll tell you it tomorrow.

CORRECT: I'll tell you tomorrow.


EXCEPTION: I'll tell you it gave me the strangest feeling I ever had.