Say, Tell, Ask in Reported Speech

tell needs an object; say does not.

Examples

• He told me to wait.
• She said she was ill.

Key rules

• Say is not followed by a person unless to is used (She said she was ill / She said to me)
• Tell needs a person (He told me to wait)
• Ask can report questions (She asked if I was ready)
• Reported questions use statement word order

Common mistakes

• He said me to wait → He told me to wait
• She told she was ill → She said she was ill