Question

Complete the sentence with say or tell (in the correct form).
Jack _______ me that he was fed up with his job.

• A. tell
• B. told
• C. said
• D. say

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

told

'Say' means 'to utter something'.

'Tell' means 'to utter or say something to someone'.

The difference is minor but it changes the meaning and grammar of the sentence.

The given sentence is in past tense as suggested by the words "that he was fed up with his job". 'Was' is a past tense verb.

Options B and C: 'Told' is the past tense of 'tell'. It agrees with the sentence in meaning. 'Jack' uttered to 'me' that 'he was fed up with his job'. He directed the utterance toward someone, 'me'.

'Said' does not express any utterance towards someone.

Also, we say 'told me' and 'said to me'. The word 'to' isn't present. Hence option B is correct and C is wrong.

Options A and D: 'Say' and 'tell' are the base verbs and do not present any tense. Since the sentence presents a past action, the base verbs are not appropriate options.

Hence A and D are wrong.