"To say" is a transitive verb; "To tell" is an intransitive verb.
As a transitive verb, "to say" requires that you specify in the same sentence what is being said. You wouldn't write "I say." You would write "I say ______."
As an intransitive verb, "to tell" does not require you to specify You can write "I tell."
"Imagination" and "fancy" mean approximately the same thing, though "fancy" often suggests an element of spontanaeity or whim. Very loosely speaking: ghosts and goblins hiding under your bed is a product of imagination; suddenly deciding to buy yourself a cherry-red Mercedes Benz is a product of fancy.
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Joe Nation
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Sun 12 Feb, 2006 01:36 pm
Re: a simple question here
navigator wrote:
What is the difference between ,
Quote:
She told him.
She said to him.
Not much difference. Told might imply she was conveying some information rather than just conversing.
If it was 'she told him off' that would be different.
Quote:
Also, imagination and fancy.
Is better to say from my imagination or my fancy?
Use 'imagination'. My 'fancy' is archaic and only used by characters in 18th Century British dramas/comedies.
Thanks, and sorry if my question is too easy to ask. It's because of me
Joe(there is no question that is too easy.)Nation
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navigator
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Mon 13 Feb, 2006 02:05 pm
Thanks everybody. Does this mean that told might sound more formal or
strict to use? If I just met a person for the first time, I'd say that he told