Reported Speech: Passing a Message On (A2 Grammar)
To pass on what someone said, use said + their words. You can add that. If they said it in the present, you can keep the present: He said he is tired.
He said (that) …
She said the bus is late.
He said he is tired.
Mom said that dinner is ready.
Try it: Man: Is your arm okay? Woman: Yes. The doctor ___ it is fine. Choose what the woman says. (told / said / forgot) Answer: said — said has no person after it: the doctor said it is fine.
tell needs a person: she told me
tell needs a person after it: she told me, he told us. said has no person after it.
She told me the store is closed.
He told us the answer.
Not "She said me the store is closed." — say "She told me the store is closed.". With a person after it, use told.
Try it: Woman: How do you know about the party? Man: My neighbor ___ me. It's on Saturday. Choose what the man says. (heard / said / told) Answer: told — His neighbor gave him the news, and me comes after, so it is told.
He asked me to …
To pass on a request, use asked + a person + to + verb.
She asked me to call her.
He asked me to help him.
They asked us to wait outside.
Try it: Man: Why are you buying eggs? Woman: Mom ___ me to get some. She wants to make a cake. Choose what the woman says. (said / asked / forgot) Answer: asked — Mom wanted her to get eggs, so Mom asked her.
said or told?
said + the words. told + a person + the words.
She said it's late.
She told me it's late.
Try it: Woman: Is your brother coming tonight? Man: No. He ___ me he's busy. Choose what the man says. (said / told / asked) Answer: told — With a person after it, like me, use told.