WHEN to use SAY or TEL Say can both be used for direct and indirect speech. He said, "I went to France on holiday last year". He said that he went to France on holiday last year. 1. Tell is also used for direct and indirect speech, but it is usually used in a way informs or instructs. When we use tell we usually say who is told. "I've bought a new house," he told me. (NOT he said me) Co He told my mother that he'd bought a new house. (NOT he said my mother) We can also use tell in some expressions where we don't say who is told, for example: to tell the time: The little boy is learning to tell the time. to tell a joke: She always tells jokes to make us laugh. Practice: Use say or tell in the following sentences. She.................me that she was very tired. 2. My brother..... he wants to buy a faster car. 3. "It's hot in here. Open the window, please," the teacher. 4. "Can you me the time?" 5. They. us that they've won the lottery. 6. They. .......... that they were from Barcelona. 7. "I'm lost. Can you. 8. The woman me the way to the Grand Hotel?" that the train was late. 9. The policeman...... the man to get out of the car. 10. "We can go to the concert next week," she 11. I that this was an easy exercise! the​