Syntax

Say, tell

Immediately after tell we say who is spoken to.

• He told her that it was time to go.
• Tell them what time to be at the party.

After say we don't have to put who is spoken to.

• Did you say something?
• Remember to say goodbye when you leave.

After say, if we do put who is spoken to, we put to before the person or thing.

• She said to John that she would do it.

After both say and tell we can put that or we can leave it out.

• He told her that it was time to go.
• He told her it was time to go.
• She said that she would do it.
• She said she would do it.