"I said" vs. "I told" and when to use them

Many of my students get confused between said and told. They are both past tense verbs about speaking, but we use them in different ways.

“I said”

We use said when we focus on the words we spoke.

• We do not have to say who we spoke to.

• If we say who we spoke to, we must use "to".

Examples:

• I said, “I’m tired.”

• I said to my friend, “Let’s go.”

• ❌ I said my friend, “Let’s go.” (needs "to")

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“I told”

We use told when we focus on who we spoke to.

• We must say who we spoke to.

• We do not use "to" before the person.

Examples:

• I told my friend I was tired.

• I told him to close the door.

• ❌ I told, “I’m tired.” (needs a person after told)

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How to Remember in Conversation

A quick tip:

• If you are saying the exact words you used → use said.

• If you are saying who you spoke to → use told.

Easy rule:

said = focus on the words.

told = focus on the person.

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Practice

Choose the correct one (said / told)

1. I ___ my teacher I didn’t understand the question.

2. She ___, “I will help you.”

3. We ___ our friends about the party.

4. He ___ to me, “I’m very busy today.”

5. I ___ her not to touch the hot pan.

Answers

1. told

2. said

3. told

4. said

5. told