🔸 SAY

Use say when you’re quoting or reporting exact words.
Think of it as putting the spotlight on the message itself, not the person.

Examples:

• She said “goodbye.”
• He said he was busy.
• They said it was too late.

🛑 Don’t follow it with a person alone:
Incorrect: She said me the answer.
Correct: She said the answer to me.

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🔸 TELL

Use tell when you are focusing on who receives the information.
It’s all about giving someone a message or information.

Examples:

• She told me the truth.
• I told them to be careful.
• Can you tell your friend to wait?

✅ Always needs a person: me, you, him, her…

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🔸 TALK

Use talk when referring to the act of having a conversation or a back-and-forth discussion.

Examples:

• We talked about the news.
• Let’s talk tomorrow.
• I talked to my teacher after class.

⚠ Needs prepositions like to, about, or with — no direct object!

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🔁 Quick Summary

Verb	Use For	Needs a person?	Example
SAY	Words / statements	No	“She said it was late.”
TELL	Giving information to someone	Yes	“She told me a secret.”
TALK	Conversation / communication	No (but needs preposition)	“We talked about it.”

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Final Tip

Try converting the sentence.
If you can quote, use say.
If you need a listener, use tell.
If it’s a chat, use talk.