( This is from: /www.learnenglish.org.uk)
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Verbs Say and tell
Although both of these words are used in both direct and indirect speech, say is more usual than tell in direct speech. This is because say can refer to any sort of speech, while tell always means "instruct" or "inform".
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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]"Put the money in the slot", he said. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] "Put the money in the slot", he told me. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] "You have to leave now", she said. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] "You have to leave now", she told me. [/FONT]