Reported Speech Basics: Say, Tell, Ask

Reported speech — also called indirect speech — is how we repeat what someone else has said without using their exact words. It’s used in conversations, storytelling, and everyday communication. But many learners struggle with choosing between the verbs say, tell, and ask because each one follows different grammatical rules.

This guide breaks everything down into simple steps. You’ll learn when each verb is used, how to form correct sentences, and how to avoid the most common mistakes. With clear examples and practice tasks, you’ll feel much more confident when reporting speech in English.

1. Using “Say” — No Object Needed

The verb say is used when we report what someone said. We focus on the words, not the person receiving the message. That’s why “say” does not follow a direct object like “me,” “you,” or “them.”

Use say when:

You report words generally — “He said he was tired.”
You include the listener only with “to” — “She said to me…”
You talk about statements or facts — “They said the store was closed.”

Correct	Incorrect	Why
He said he was leaving.	He said me he was leaving.	“Say” cannot take a direct object.
She said to me that it was urgent.	—	Use “to” if you mention the listener.

One simple way to remember: say + words, not people.

2. Using “Tell” — Always Needs an Object

The verb tell focuses on who receives the information. That’s why it must be followed by a person or object pronoun — “me,” “you,” “her,” “the team,” and so on.

Use tell when:

You report instructions — “She told me to wait.”
You report information to a specific listener — “He told us the truth.”
You include an object every time — “Tell her the news.”

Correct	Incorrect	Why
He told me he was busy.	He told he was busy.	“Tell” needs a person after it.
They told us to wait outside.	They told to wait outside.	Object missing.

Easy rule: tell + someone + something.

3. Using “Ask” — For Questions and Requests

The verb ask is used when we report questions or requests. It can be followed by a person (like “ask me”) or used without one depending on the sentence.

Use ask when:

You report a question — “He asked if I was okay.”
You report a request — “She asked me to help.”
You talk about asking for information — “They asked about the schedule.”

Type	Example
Yes/no question	He asked if I liked coffee.
Wh-question	She asked where I lived.
Request	They asked me to come early.

Remember: for reported questions, the word order becomes subject + verb (no inversion).

4. Say vs. Tell vs. Ask — Quick Comparison

Here’s a simple way to see the differences:

Verb	Main Use	Needs Object?	Example
say	reporting words	No (unless using “to”)	He said he was tired.
tell	giving information	Yes	She told me a secret.
ask	questions/requests	Optional	They asked if it was open.

5. Make It Stick

Memory Hack: SAY = words • TELL = person + words • ASK = questions/requests

Mini Quiz

She ___ me to sit down. (said / told / asked)
He ___ that he was leaving soon. (said / told / asked)
They ___ if we needed help. (said / told / asked)
Can you ___ her the address? (say / tell / ask)

Answers: told / said / asked / tell

Try this: Rewrite three direct questions as reported questions using “ask.”
Practice role-play: Pretend you’re telling a friend what someone said. Use “say” and “tell” correctly.
Spot the pattern: Look for “told me,” “said that,” and “asked if” in English videos or books and note the structure.

⭐ Pro Tip: If you mention the listener directly, use “tell” or “ask” — not “say.”

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between say, tell, and ask is essential for forming clear and correct reported speech. Use say to report words, tell when mentioning the listener, and ask when reporting questions or requests. With consistent practice, these verbs will become natural parts of your communication in English.