Said vs Told: Which Should You Use In Writing?

Are you confused about when to use “said” or “told” in your writing? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many writers struggle with these two words and often use them interchangeably. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between “said” and “told” and when to use each one.

Let’s define the two words. “Said” is a verb that means to speak or utter words, while “told” is a verb that means to communicate information or a story to someone.

So, which one is the proper word to use in your writing? The answer is both. “Said” and “told” are both correct words to use, but they have different meanings and uses.

When you use “said,” you are simply indicating who is speaking. For example:

“I can’t believe it,” said John.

Here, “said” is used to indicate that John is speaking. It doesn’t give any additional information about what he said or to whom he said it.

On the other hand, when you use “told,” you are indicating that someone is communicating information to someone else. For example:

“I can’t believe it,” John told his friend.

Here, “told” is used to indicate that John is communicating information to his friend. It gives more context and information than simply using “said.”

Now that we’ve defined the two words and their uses, let’s explore some common mistakes writers make when using “said” and “told.” In the next section, we’ll discuss when to use each word and provide examples to help you understand the differences.

Define Said

Said is a verb that is used to indicate the act of expressing something verbally. It is a term that is frequently used in written and spoken communication to convey dialogue or narration. The word ‘said’ is often used to attribute speech to a character in a story or to indicate a direct quote.

For instance, in the sentence “She said, ‘I am not feeling well today,'” the word ‘said’ is used to indicate that the character spoke the words that follow. This use of ‘said’ is common in both fiction and nonfiction writing, as well as in everyday conversation.

Define Told

Told is also a verb that is used to indicate the act of expressing something verbally. However, it is typically used to convey information or to give instructions. Unlike ‘said,’ which is often used to attribute speech to a character, ‘told’ is used to indicate the act of communicating a message or conveying a story.

For example, in the sentence “He told me to meet him at the park at 2 pm,” the word ‘told’ is used to indicate that the speaker received instructions from another person. Similarly, in the sentence “She told me a story about her trip to Europe,” the word ‘told’ is used to indicate that the speaker received information from another person.

Comparison between said and told

Said	Told
Used to attribute speech to a character	Used to indicate the act of communicating a message or conveying a story
Commonly used in both fiction and nonfiction writing	Typically used in nonfiction writing or everyday conversation
Indicates a direct quote	Indicates the act of giving instructions or conveying information

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the right word in a sentence can make a huge difference in the overall meaning and impact of your message. In this section, we will discuss how to properly use the words “said” and “told” in a sentence.

How To Use “Said” In A Sentence

The word “said” is commonly used to indicate that someone has spoken. It is a simple and straightforward way to convey dialogue in writing. Here are some tips for using “said” in a sentence:

• Use “said” to indicate that someone has spoken a statement or fact.
• Example: “John said that he would be late for the meeting.”
• Avoid using adverbs to modify “said” unless absolutely necessary. Instead, use descriptive language to convey the tone or manner in which the statement was made.
• Example: “She said with a smile” can be changed to “She said, smiling.”
• Use “said” sparingly. Overusing it can make your writing seem repetitive and dull.

How To Use “Told” In A Sentence

The word “told” is used to indicate that someone has communicated information to another person. It is often used in the context of storytelling or relaying information. Here are some tips for using “told” in a sentence:

• Use “told” to indicate that someone has communicated information to another person.
• Example: “She told me about her trip to Europe.”
• Use “told” when the information being communicated is important or significant.
• Example: “The doctor told him that he needed to quit smoking.”
• Use “told” when the information being communicated is a story or anecdote.
• Example: “He told us about the time he met the president.”

By using “said” and “told” correctly, you can add clarity and impact to your writing. Remember to use these words sparingly and to use descriptive language to convey tone and manner.

More Examples Of Said & Told Used In Sentences

When it comes to writing, it’s essential to use the right words to convey the intended meaning. In this section, we’ll look at more examples of using “said” and “told” in sentences.

Examples Of Using “Said” In A Sentence

• “I said I would be there at 3 pm.”
• “She said she was feeling sick.”
• “He said he had never seen anything like it before.”
• “They said they would help us with the project.”
• “The teacher said we had to turn in our assignments by Friday.”
• “The doctor said I needed to take the medication for two weeks.”
• “The manager said the meeting was postponed until next week.”
• “The coach said we needed to work harder if we wanted to win.”
• “The customer said the product was not what they expected.”
• “The CEO said the company was going to expand into new markets.”

As you can see from these examples, “said” is often used to indicate that someone spoke or expressed something verbally.

Examples Of Using “Told” In A Sentence

• “She told me she was going on vacation next week.”
• “He told us to be careful when crossing the street.”
• “I told him I didn’t want to go to the party.”
• “The coach told the team they had to practice harder.”
• “The teacher told the students to read chapter five for homework.”
• “The boss told the employees they would be getting a raise.”
• “The parent told the child to clean their room.”
• “The police officer told the driver to pull over to the side of the road.”
• “The doctor told the patient to get plenty of rest.”
• “The tour guide told us about the history of the city.”

Similar to “said,” “told” is also used to indicate that someone communicated something verbally. However, “told” often implies that the information was directed at a specific person or group.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using said and told, many people tend to use these two words interchangeably. However, this is a common mistake that can lead to confusion and misinterpretation of the intended message. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using said and told:

Using “Said” Instead Of “Told” To Convey A Message

One common mistake is using “said” instead of “told” when conveying a message. While both words refer to the act of communicating, “told” is used when someone is communicating something to someone else directly. For example, “He told me that he would be late for the meeting” is correct, but “He said me that he would be late for the meeting” is incorrect.

Using “Told” Instead Of “Said” In Reported Speech

Another common mistake is using “told” instead of “said” in reported speech. Reported speech is when you are relaying what someone else said to you. In this case, “said” is the correct word to use. For example, “She said that she was going to the store” is correct, but “She told that she was going to the store” is incorrect.

Using “Said” Or “Told” Too Often

Using “said” or “told” too often can make your writing sound repetitive and dull. Instead, try to use other verbs that convey the same meaning. For example, instead of using “said” or “told” all the time, you could use “explained,” “stated,” “remarked,” or “noted.”

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes

To avoid these common mistakes, here are some tips:

• Be mindful of the context in which you are using said and told.
• Think about the relationship between the speaker and the listener.
• Consider using other verbs that convey the same meaning.
• Read your writing aloud to see if it sounds repetitive or confusing.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between “said” and “told,” context is key. The context in which these words are used can greatly impact which one is more appropriate to use. Here are some examples:

1. Direct Speech Vs. Reported Speech

Direct speech is when someone is speaking for themselves, and their exact words are being quoted. Reported speech is when someone’s words are being relayed by someone else. In direct speech, “said” is typically used:

• “I love ice cream,” said Sarah.
• “Let’s go to the beach,” said Tom.

However, in reported speech, “told” is often used:

• Sarah said that she loves ice cream.
• Tom told me that we should go to the beach.

2. Formal Vs. Informal Settings

The choice between “said” and “told” can also depend on the formality of the setting. In formal settings, such as a business meeting or a court room, “said” is often used:

• “I object,” said the lawyer.
• “I understand,” said the CEO.

However, in more informal settings, such as a conversation with friends, “told” might be used:

• She told me that she’s going on vacation next week.
• I told him that I’m not interested in going to the party.

3. Tone And Emphasis

The choice between “said” and “told” can also depend on the tone and emphasis that the speaker wants to convey. “Said” is often used to simply convey information, while “told” can be used to indicate a greater level of emphasis or importance:

• “I said that I would be there at 7,” said John.
• “I told you, I will not tolerate that kind of behavior,” said the teacher.

Overall, the choice between “said” and “told” can greatly depend on the context in which they are used. It’s important to consider the setting, the type of speech being used, and the tone and emphasis that the speaker wants to convey in order to choose the most appropriate word.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using “said” and “told” are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions where they might not apply. Here are a few examples:

1. Dialogue Tags

When using dialogue tags, “said” and “told” are often interchangeable. However, there are some cases where one might be more appropriate than the other. For example:

• If you want to emphasize the exact words spoken, “said” is usually the better choice. For instance: “I love you,” he said.
• If you want to emphasize the person who received the information, “told” is usually better. For instance: He told me he loved me.

2. Reported Speech

When reporting what someone said, “told” is often the better choice. For example:

• She told me that she was going to the store.
• He told the class that the test would be next week.

In these cases, “said” could also be used, but it would change the emphasis of the sentence. “Told” implies that the speaker conveyed information to someone else, while “said” simply implies that the speaker spoke.

3. Expressions Of Emotion

When someone is expressing a strong emotion, “said” may not be enough to convey the intensity of the feeling. In these cases, other verbs can be used instead. For example:

• “I hate you!” she exclaimed.
• “I’m so excited!” he exclaimed.

These verbs are called “speech verbs,” and they can be used to add more nuance and depth to a character’s dialogue.

Practice Exercises

Now that we have discussed the differences between “said” and “told,” it’s time to put our knowledge into practice. Below are some exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these verbs in sentences:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct verb (“said” or “told”) to complete the following sentences:

1. She __________ me that she was going to be late.
2. He __________ that he loved me.
3. They __________ that the party was going to be at their house.
4. The teacher __________ that we had a test next week.
5. My boss __________ me that I needed to finish the project by Friday.

Answer Key:

1. told
2. said
3. told
4. said
5. told

Exercise 2: Rewrite The Sentence

Rewrite the following sentences using the opposite verb (“said” or “told”):

1. He told me that he was going to the store.
2. She said that she was tired.
3. They told us that the movie was sold out.
4. The coach said that we needed to practice more.
5. My friend said that she would help me move.

Answer Key:

1. He said to me that he was going to the store.
2. She told me that she was tired.
3. They said to us that the movie was sold out.
4. The coach told us that we needed to practice more.
5. My friend told me that she would help me move.

By completing these exercises, you should have a better understanding of when to use “said” and “told” in your writing. Remember to pay attention to the context of the sentence and the relationship between the speaker and the listener. With practice, you’ll be able to use these verbs correctly and effectively in your writing.

Conclusion

After exploring the nuances of “said” and “told,” it’s clear that these two verbs are not interchangeable. While both can be used to convey speech, “said” is a more neutral and common option, while “told” implies a level of direction or instruction.

It’s important to pay attention to the specific context in which these words are being used, as well as the intended tone and meaning behind the speech being conveyed. By doing so, writers can ensure that their language use is precise and effective.

Key Takeaways:

• “Said” and “told” are not interchangeable verbs when it comes to conveying speech.
• “Said” is a more neutral and common option, while “told” implies direction or instruction.
• Context and intended meaning should be considered when choosing between “said” and “told.”

As with any aspect of grammar and language use, there is always more to learn. By continuing to explore and expand our knowledge, we can become more effective communicators and writers.

So, whether it’s through reading, writing, or taking classes, let’s continue to strive for excellence in our language use.