SAY, TELL and ASK

SAY SOMETHING

The direct object of say can be a noun, a that-clause (that can be omitted in informal styles) or an indirect question (in negatives and questions when the information is not actually reported):

Laura never says anything when asked.
Can you say your name again?
David says he's exhausted.
They said that they would wait for me.
She didn't say what time she would be back.

SAY SOMETHING TO SOMEONE

When we use to + indirect object after say, we do not normally use a that-clause:

He didn't say anything to me about the job.
"See you soon," Linda said to him.

TELL SOMEONE SOMETHING

Tell is usually followed by an indirect object and a direct object:

Has he told you the news?
Could you tell me your name, please?
They told me that they would wait for me.
She didn't tell me what time she would be back.

Phrases with TELL

In some of the phrases below, an indirect object is optional:

My father told (us) a very interesting story.
You must always tell (me) the truth.
John told (you) a lie.
No one can tell the future.
Can you tell the time in English?

ASK (SOMEONE) + indirect question

We can use ask to report questions:

Rebecca asked (me) where I lived.
The guide asked (us) if we had visited the museum before.

ASK/TELL SOMEONE + TO-infinitive

We can use ask or tell to report imperatives or requests:

Johnny's mother told him to put away his toys.
The examiner asked me to speak louder.