Say or tell something ?

[pomoxp]

Hello,

I would like to be sure about the usage of say against tell in a specific sentence.

Is that correct to say " I can't say the difference between those two colors. " or should I use tell instead ?
To my comprehension, I should use tell if I say : "I can't tell you the difference between those two colors."


Thanks for your help
Pascal

[Carmenn]

I am almost sure the correct sentence is :"I can't tell you the difference between those two colors."...it doesn't sounds well if you use ''say''. So you're right.

[Casiopea]

Welcome, pomoxp.

I agree with Carmenn;e.g., I can't tell the difference. In that context tell means, to distinguish; discriminate; ascertain.

In addition, to tell means to give information; to say means to utter words. For example,

Ex: I can't tell you what my name is.
=> meaning: I can't give you that information.

Ex: I can't say what my name is.
=> meaning: I have lost my voice; I'm not permitted to say; I can't remember.

Does that help?

[pomoxp]

Hello,

In fact I am doing an exercise where I need to choose say or tell.

11) I can't tell the difference between those two colors. They're so alike.

So I understood better why tell is best in the first sentence, because it is like you wrote Casiopea

In that context tell means, to distinguish; discriminate; ascertain.

And in this other question :

14) My son Christopher learned to say the time at school. He's so proud.

I choosed "say" : I think I am wrong because in fact, when we tell the time it is implicity to others.
Is that ok this way of thinking ?



I say : I certainly will success, if I tell you that I am recognizing my mistakes

[Casiopea]

You tell the time because a clock, a watch gives us information about what time of day it is.

I say: I certainly will success, if I tell you that I am recognizing my mistakes.

Does that help?

[pomoxp]

Thank you very much for your help

[Casiopea]

You're most welcome.