🗣 What’s the Difference Between “Say,” “Tell,” and “Speak”?
A Smart Learning Guide to Using the Right Verb in the Right Situation
✨ Section 1: Why These Words Confuse Learners
For Thai learners of English, “say,” “tell,” and “speak” can feel almost the same. In Thai, one verb like “พูด” or “บอก” can cover multiple meanings, so it’s easy to mix them up. But in English, each word has its own rules and typical usage.
🧠 Why It Matters
- Using the wrong verb can make your sentence sound unnatural.
- In exams, correct usage can earn you extra points.
- In real conversations, it helps you sound more fluent and precise.
🔍 Quick Overview
- Say → Focuses on the words themselves.
- Tell → Focuses on giving information to someone.
- Speak → Focuses on the act of talking or ability to talk.
🚀 Section 2: How to Use Each Word Correctly
1. Say
Meaning: To express something in words.
Structure: say + something (no object person required, but you can add “to + person”)
Examples:
- “She said she was tired.”
- “He said to me, ‘I’ll call you later.’”
🧠 Tip: Use “say” when you’re reporting exact words or general statements.
2. Tell
Meaning: To give information to someone.
Structure: tell + someone + something (needs an object person)
Examples:
- “She told me the news.”
- “Please tell him to be on time.”
🧠 Tip: You can’t say “tell something” without saying who you told.
3. Speak
Meaning: To talk or have a conversation; also refers to language ability.
Structure: speak + language / speak to + person
Examples:
- “I speak English and Thai.”
- “Can I speak to the manager?”
🧠 Tip: Use “speak” for formal situations, language skills, or when starting a conversation.
📊 Comparison Table
| Verb | Focus | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Say | Words themselves | say + something / say to + person | “She said she was happy.” |
| Tell | Giving info to someone | tell + someone + something | “He told me a secret.” |
| Speak | Act of talking / language ability | speak + language / speak to + person | “I speak Japanese.” |
🌟 Section 3: Tips to Remember the Difference
🔹 Tip 1: Think About the Focus
- If you care about the words → use say.
- If you care about the listener → use tell.
- If you care about the act of talking → use speak.
🔹 Tip 2: Watch for Grammar Patterns
Memorize the common structures so you don’t have to guess.
🔹 Tip 3: Learn with Real Examples
Listen to native speakers in movies or podcasts and note how they use each verb.
🔹 Tip 4: Practice Switching
Take one sentence and rewrite it with each verb correctly.
Example:
- Say: “She said she was busy.”
- Tell: “She told me she was busy.”
- Speak: “She spoke to me about her busy schedule.”
💬 Final Thoughts
“Say,” “tell,” and “speak” may seem similar, but once you understand their focus and structure, choosing the right one becomes easy. Practice with real examples, pay attention to patterns, and soon you’ll be using them like a native speaker.
