SAY vs. TELL

SAY/TELL

TELL(command or inform): is followed immediately by a pro(noun) object and then by a noun clause.

            Ann told me (that) she was hungry.[1]

X             Ann told that she was hungry.[2]

X             Ann told to me that she was hungry

SAY is followed immediately by a noun clause, usually used without a personal object.  

Ann said (that) she was hungry.

Ann said to me (that) she was hungry.                      X Ann said me (that) she was hungry [3]

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[1] When the listener is mentioned, it is preferable to use TELL

[2] When the listener is not mentioned, don’t use TELL. TELL must have an indirect object

[3] If we want to put an indirect object after SAY, we use to. Refer to point 1.

http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/cw-say-tell.htm 

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