Difference Between Said and Told

As a learner of English, you may have come across two common verbs used when reporting speech: ‘said’ and ‘told’.

At first glance, these words might seem interchangeable, but they each have their unique grammatical usage and contexts. Understanding the difference between said and told is essential in mastering English conversation and writing.

So, let’s delve into their grammatical particulars.

Said

The verb ‘said’ is one of the most frequently used verbs in English when reporting direct and indirect speech.

It is often used without a personal object. In other words, you do not typically have to specify the person to whom the comment was directed when using ‘said’.

For instance, consider the following sentences:

Direct Speech: John said, "I'll come to the party."
Indirect Speech: John said that he would come to the party."

Note that in both sentences, the conversation was reported without specifying to whom John was speaking. Therefore, if you’re unsure about the 'receiver' of the information, it's safe to use 'said'.

Told

The verb ‘told’, on the other hand, is always used with a personal object. In other words, it can only be used as a transitive verb.

This means that ‘told’ requires both a subject and an object, namely, the person who said something (the subject), and the person to whom it was said (the object).

Here are some examples:

Direct Speech: John told Mary, "I'll come to the party."
Indirect Speech: John told Mary that he would come to the party.

You can see from the examples that ‘told’ always takes a personal object, in this case, 'Mary'. We get to know in this case that John was speaking to Mary.

So the main difference between 'said' and 'told' is basically the person to whom the speech is directed. If the receiver of information needs to be mentioned, use 'told'. But if the receiver of the information isn't important or isn't known, use 'said'.

Exceptions

Remember, exceptions exist in the English language, and one such exception is that 'said to someone' is possible to use as in:

John said to Mary, "I'll come to the party."

However, this is less common and can sound a little more formal or old-fashioned. If you are using it this way, note that you use 'to' with 'said', but we don't with 'told'.

Summing Up

So, always keep in mind the subject and object requirement of 'said' and 'told'. Said doesn't usually require a personal object, whereas ‘told’ does require one.

Get into the habit of asking yourself who was speaking and to whom before deciding which verb to use. If the answer to both these questions is clear, then 'told' is likely the correct verb to use. If not, 'said' will usually do the job.

Put this into practice, and in no time, you'll master the difference between said and told.

More Confusing Words:

Past Tense of Feel: Choosing feel or felt
The past tense of feel is felt. We don't say feeled as feel is an irregular verb which means that it doesn't follow the usual pattern of past simple verbs.
The Difference Between There, Their, and They're
This confusing words lesson explains the difference between there, their, and they're, which often stump learners of English.
What are the differences between bought and brought?
Do you know the differences between bought and brought? One is the past of "bring" and the other of "buy".
Zero Article Rules with Examples
Here we look at zero article rules with examples. We have no article when referring to general concepts, abstract nouns, proper nouns, and mass nouns.
Past Tense of Fit - Explanation and Examples
The past tense of fit can be either fit or fitted as it very much depends on whether it's being used in American English or British English.
Alot or A Lot Grammar Differences. Which should you use?
Which should you choose of these two words - alot or a lot? A lot means that there is many of something. For instance, 'There are a lot of people here'. Alot is actually not a word that exists, so don't use it!
Difference between affect and effect: Verb or Noun?
The difference between affect and effect is that while one is a noun, the other is a verb. So this will influence where you place the word in your sentence.
Backward vs Backwards Grammar Differences Explained
Backward can be an adverb or an adjective. As an adjective it means regressive or undeveloped. As an adverb it indicates direction. So those are the Backward vs Backwards grammar differences. The 's' arises with differences between the US and the British Spellings.
Every Day or Everyday? How to Choose
In choosing between every day or everyday you need to understand that one is a determiner plus noun while the other is an adjective.
Differences Between Infer and Imply
Understand the differences between Infer and Imply with this explanation and example sentences.
Anyway or Anyways Grammar. What's the difference?
Should you use anyway or anyways? Anyway is an adverb that has two meanings. One is 'regardless', the other is to indicate that you are returning to talk about some thing you were talking about before. Anyways has the same meanings but it is very informal English.
Lose or Loose: Which to choose?
Choosing between lose or loose can be confusing for English learners. The difference though are fairly simple.
Titled Versus Entitled: How to Choose
This lesson examines titled versus entitled. The words are very different in meaning so it's important to know which is correct.
Past tense of hang - Explanation and examples
In using the past tense of hang, there is often confusion over whether to use hanged or hung. Here we will explain the differences and which one is correct.
Its or It's: Grammar rules to know the difference
Simple rules for its or it's: "It's" with the apostrophe is the shortened form of "it is" or "it has": "It's (it is) hot today"; "It's (it has) been a long time since I saw you". "Its" on the other hand indicates the possessive: "The company increased its wages".
Classification of Prepositions in English: Types and Examples
This classification of prepositions in English explains how they can be single, double, phrasal or detached.
Drank or Drunk: Advice on which to choose
Confused about whether to use drank or drunk? Drunk is actually the past participle used with the verb 'have'. So 'I have drunk a lot tonight'. 'Drank' is simply the past simple: 'I drank a lot last night'.
Be / Get Used to: Learn the Differences
Be / get used to is used to talk about something that one is familiar with or accustomed to. There are slight difference between 'be' and 'get'.
Is it complement or compliment?
Is it complement or compliment? One refers to enhancing something, the other expresses praise or admiration.
Difference Between Emigrate and Immigrate
The difference between emigrate and immigrate can be confusing. While one means to leave one's own country or region, the other is to come.
Difference Between Accept and Except
Do you know the difference between accept and except? One is about receiving something, the other about exclusion.
People Are or Is Grammar Explanation with Examples
Deciding whether to say people are or is in English grammar can be confusing but the explanation is in the difference between the plural and the singular.
When to choose assure or ensure
Should you use assure or ensure? One means to give someone confidence, while the other means to make certain.
To vs Too: What is the difference?
Learn about to vs too. To is used as a preposition and to indicate moving towards something. Too means excessive or also. These two words are commonly confusing for English learners. To vs Too grammar mistakes will be noticeable so it's important to understand them.
How to Use Either and Neither with Examples
Advice on how to use either and neither in English grammar. They can be adjectives, adverbs, pronouns and conjunctions.