Said vs. Told — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 22, 2023
"Said" and "Told" are both used to report speech, but they are not interchangeable. "Said" is generally used to indicate that something has been spoken, while "Told" often implies giving information directly to someone and usually requires an object.
Difference Between Said and Told
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Both "Said" and "Told" are verbs used to indicate that something has been spoken, but they serve different grammatical and contextual functions. "Said" is commonly used to indicate that someone has expressed something verbally, without necessarily implying a direct recipient. "Told," on the other hand, often implies that the speaker is giving information directly to a specified person or group of people.
In the case of "Said," the word doesn't usually require an object. You can simply say, "She said," followed by the statement. "Told," however, almost always requires an object to indicate the receiver of the information. For example, you would say, "She told me that she was leaving."
"Said" is a versatile term, usable in a wide range of contexts, including reporting, narrating, and summarizing spoken words. "Told" tends to be more specific, often used in contexts where the information being conveyed is significant to the receiver, such as instructions, confessions, or significant news.
Another notable difference is that "Said" can be used in questions and statements alike, while "Told" is generally not used in questions in the same way. For example, you might ask, "What did she say?" but you would rarely ask, "What did she tell?"
Comparison Chart
Object Required
Usually not
Yes
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Implication
General speech
Directed information
Context
Versatile
Specific scenarios
Use in Questions
Common
Rare
Typical Follow-up
Quotation or paraphrasing
Object + Quotation or paraphrasing
Compare with Definitions
Said
Said is contextually versatile.
The teacher said we have a quiz tomorrow.
Told
Told requires an object.
He told me a story.
Said
Said doesn't usually require an object.
She said so, is a complete sentence.
Told
Told implies directed information.
She told him the truth.
Said
Said can be used in questions.
What did you say?
Told
Told can be used for relaying instructions.
He told her to wait.
Said
Said is used to report speech.
He said that he was tired.
Told
Told is used in specific scenarios.
The manager told the employees about the new policy.
Said
Said can be followed by a direct quotation.
She said, I am happy.
Told
Told is rarely used in questions.
What was she told? is less common than What did she say?
Said
Past tense and past participle of say.
Told
Past tense and past participle of tell1.
Said
Named or mentioned before; aforementioned
The party to the contract subsequently breached said contract.
Told
Simple past tense and past participle of tell
A tale is but half told, if only one person tells it.
Said
Simple past tense and past participle of say
Said
Mentioned earlier; aforesaid.
The said party has denied the charges.
Said
Mentioned earlier; aforesaid.
Said party has denied the charges.
Said
Before-mentioned; already spoken of or specified; aforesaid; - used chiefly in legal style.
Said
Being the one previously mentioned or spoken of;
Works of all the aforementioned authors
Said party has denied the charges
Common Curiosities
Does "Told" require an object?
Yes, "Told" almost always requires an object to indicate the receiver of the information.
Can "Said" be used in questions?
Yes, it is common to use "Said" in questions like, "What did she say?"
Is "Said" versatile in context?
Yes, "Said" can be used in a wide range of speaking contexts.
Is "Told" formal or informal?
"Told" is also neutral but is often used in contexts that require clarity about the receiver of information.
Can "Said" and "Told" be used interchangeably?
No, they serve different functions and are not usually interchangeable.
Can "Said" be used without an object?
Generally, yes. For example, "He said that he's coming."
Do "Said" and "Told" have the same tense forms?
Yes, both have regular past tense forms: "Said" remains "Said," and "Told" becomes "Told."
Is "Said" used for general speech?
Yes, "Said" is often used for reporting general speech.
Can "Told" be used in questions?
It is less common but possible in cases like, "What was she told?"
Is "Told" used to give specific information?
Yes, "Told" is generally used when the information is directed or significant to the receiver.
Can "Said" be followed by a quote?
Yes, you can follow "Said" with a direct quotation.
Is "Told" context-specific?
Generally, yes. "Told" is often used in more specific scenarios like giving instructions.
Can "Told" be followed by a quote?
Yes, but it usually also requires an object, as in, "She told me, 'I am leaving.'"
Is "Said" formal or informal?
"Said" is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
Can "Told" be used to narrate a story?
Yes, but it would typically indicate that the story or information is being directed to someone.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
