Shadowing Practice: Say vs Tell — Stop Using Them Wrong in English Conversation! (A2-B1) - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

B1
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Hello everyone!
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Welcome back to Maria Daily English.
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I'm so happy you're here with us today.
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Hey there!
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Great to see you all again.
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Today we're fixing one of the most common mistakes in English,
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mixing up, say, and tell.
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Yes.
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Many learners use them interchangeably,
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but there is one simple rule that makes it easy to remember.
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What is the rule, Maria?
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The golden rule is, a tell usually needs a person, an object.
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Say he does not need a person.
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Let's break it down.
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So, if I mention who I am talking to, I use tell?
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Exactly.
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Structure, tell plus person plus information.
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Example, a tell me the truth.
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Tell him to come back.
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She told us a story.
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And if I don't mention the person, I use say.
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Correct.
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Structure.
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Say plus information.
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Example.
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As she said hello.
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He said he was tired.
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They said yes.
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But what if I want to mention the person with say?
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Good question.
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If you use a say here with a person,
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you must use a to.
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Example.
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Is she said to me that she was busy?
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Not he, she said me.
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R. So, tell me, no, to,
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vs. say to me with, to.
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That's the key difference.
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Perfect.
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Perfect.
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Now, let's look at fixed expressions.
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Some phrases always use a tell,
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even without a person mentioned immediately.
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Like, a tell the truth,
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a tell a lie, a tell a story, a tell the time.
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And for say, we have,
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say hello, say goodbye, say yes, say no, say sorry.
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Exactly.
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These are fixed.
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You don't a tell hello,
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ee, or a say the truth.
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It's always a say hello ear and a tell the truth.
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Let's test this.
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I'll make sentences and you correct me if I'm wrong.
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Sentence 1.
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He said me that he liked pizza.
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Wrong.
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You mentioned the person ear me ee.
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So you must use a tell.
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Correct.
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He told me that he liked pizza.
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Or, if you keep he said,
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he said to me that he liked pizza.
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Got it.
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Sentence 2, can you tell the time?
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Correct.
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Tell the time ee is a fixed expression.
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Sentence 3, she said goodbye to her friends.
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Perfect.
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Say goodbye ee is fixed.
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And ee to her friends ee uses ee toe correctly.
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Sentence 4, I told that I was hungry.
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Incorrect.
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You didn't mention a person.
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So you says a.
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Correct.
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EI said that I was hungry.
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If you want to use a tell, ear at a person.
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EI told him that I was hungry.
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This is clicking now.
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Let's try a natural conversation.
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I'll start.
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Maria, did you hear what John said?
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Yes.
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He told me that he was leaving early.
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Did he say why?
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He said that he had a doctor's appointment.
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He also told us to lock the door when we leave.
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Oh, I almost forgot.
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Thanks for telling me.
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I'll say goodbye to him before he goes.
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See how we used both.
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Told me, person included, said that,
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no person, told us, person included,
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say goodbye fixed expression exactly quick review use a tell you
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when you mention the person tell someone something use a say
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when you don't mention the person say something
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if you use a say ear with a person add it to ear say to someone Common mistakes to avoid.
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Don't say, he said me,
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say, he told me, or he said to me.
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Don't say, tell hello, say, say hello.
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Don't say, say the truth, say, tell the truth.
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Practice tip.
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When you're unsure, ask yourself,
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did I mention the person?
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If yes, use a tell.
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If no, use a say.
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If this lesson helped you,
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please like this video, subscribe to Maria Daily English,
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and share it with a friend who mixes up say and tell.
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And practice time.
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In the comments, write one sentence using a say and one using a tell.
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We'll read and correct every single comment.
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Keep practicing, stay consistent, and remember,
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small grammar fixes make a big difference in your English.
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Thank you for learning with us today.
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See you in the next lesson.
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Bye everyone.
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Keep speaking.

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Context & Background

In the English language, many learners struggle with the distinction between the verbs say and tell. This confusion often leads to common mistakes in conversation, as these two words are frequently used interchangeably. In a recent video, Maria Daily English clearly outlines the fundamental differences between these two verbs, providing examples and structured rules that make it easier for learners at the A2-B1 levels to grasp their correct usage. This understanding is crucial for effective communication, ensuring that English learners not only express themselves clearly but also improve their overall pronunciation and fluency.

Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication

  • Tell the truth: Example: "You should always tell the truth."
  • Tell a story: Example: "Can you tell a story about your childhood?"
  • Say hello: Example: "Make sure to say hello to your neighbors."
  • Say goodbye: Example: "It's time to say goodbye to our friends."
  • Tell someone to do something: Example: "Please tell him to call me."

These phrases are not only commonly used but also serve as essential building blocks for everyday conversations. Mastering their usage will significantly enhance your conversational skills as you learn English with YouTube and other resources.

Step-by-step Shadowing Guide

Applying the shadowing technique can greatly aid in improving English pronunciation while mastering the use of say and tell. Follow this step-by-step guide to effectively tackle the content of the video:

  1. Listen to the video: Start by watching the video carefully. Pay attention to how Maria uses say and tell in context.
  2. Repeat after her: Use the shadowing technique. Repeat phrases aloud after Maria, ensuring you mimic her intonation and pronunciation. This will help you improve English pronunciation.
  3. Practice with examples: Create your own sentences using the structures shared in the video. Use tell + person + information and say + information to reinforce your understanding.
  4. Record your voice: Use a smartphone or recorder to capture your practice. Listening to yourself can provide insights into areas that need improvement.
  5. Review regularly: Return to the video and your own recordings periodically. This will solidify your grasp of these verbs and build your confidence in speaking.

By integrating the shadowing technique into your practice, especially on a shadowing site, you'll not only become more comfortable with say and tell, but also gain essential skills for effective communication in English.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

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