Introduction
English learners often struggle with verbs that seem similar but have different uses. Two common pairs are:
- Say vs. Tell
- Do vs. Make
In this post, you’ll learn the differences, see examples in simple present, simple past, and simple future, and practice with a case study for beginners, intermediate, and advanced learners. Finally, discover how the You Just Talk program from American Intensive English can help you master these verbs.
✅ Difference Between “Say” and “Tell”
Key Rule
- Say = focuses on the words spoken.
Example: She said “hello.” - Tell = focuses on giving information to someone.
Example: She told me the news.
Examples in Different Tenses
Simple Present
- Personal:
- I say “thank you” every day.
- I tell my friend about my plans.
- Professional:
- She says the meeting starts at 9.
- He tells the team the deadline.
Simple Past
- Personal:
- I said I was tired.
- I told my brother the truth.
- Professional:
- The manager said the report was late.
- The CEO told the staff about the new policy.
Simple Future
- Personal:
- I will say goodbye before leaving.
- I will tell you the story later.
- Professional:
- She will say a few words at the event.
- He will tell the clients about the changes.
✅ Difference Between “Do” and “Make”
Key Rule
- Do = actions, tasks, or work.
Example: I do my homework. - Make = creating or producing something.
Example: I make a cake.
Examples in Different Tenses
Simple Present
- Personal:
- I do my homework every day.
- I make breakfast for my family.
- Professional:
- She does the monthly reports.
- He makes presentations for clients.
Simple Past
- Personal:
- I did the laundry yesterday.
- I made a cake for my friend.
- Professional:
- They did the analysis last week.
- We made a new marketing plan.
Simple Future
- Personal:
- I will do the dishes later.
- I will make a reservation for dinner.
- Professional:
- She will do the audit next month.
- He will make a proposal for the project.
📝 Case Study: Fill in the Blanks
Beginner Level
- I always ___ (say/tell) “thank you” when someone helps me.
- She ___ (do/make) her homework every evening.
- Yesterday, I ___ (say/tell) my mom about the party.
Intermediate Level
- The manager ___ (say/tell) the team about the new schedule yesterday.
- We will ___ (do/make) a plan for the next quarter.
- He ___ (say/tell) he is tired, but he didn’t stop working.
Advanced Level
- By tomorrow, I will ___ (do/make) all the necessary arrangements for the conference.
- She ___ (say/tell) that the report was finished, but later admitted it wasn’t.
- If you ___ (say/tell) them the truth now, they will trust you more.
✅ Answer Key
- Beginner: 1. say 2. does 3. told
- Intermediate: 4. told 5. make 6. said
- Advanced: 7. do 8. said 9. tell
How to Master These Verbs
The best way to master these verbs is through real conversation practice. That’s where the You Just Talk program from American Intensive English comes in. This program focuses on:
- Speaking naturally in everyday and professional situations.
- Correcting common mistakes like say/tell and do/make.
- Building confidence through guided conversation with expert instructors.
With You Just Talk, you’ll practice these verbs in real-life contexts until they become second nature.
Ready to Improve Your English?
👉 Enroll in the You Just Talk program today and start speaking confidently! Book Your Free English Consultation and Placement Test by Phone or WhatsApp at: +1 832-744-7327 or by email: info@americanintensiveenglish.com