He told me not to tell anyone. vs He said not to tell anyone.

Both phrases are correct and commonly used in English. They convey the same meaning, with a slight difference in the verbs 'told' and 'said'. 'He told me not to tell anyone' implies a more direct communication, while 'he said not to tell anyone' is a bit more indirect.

Last updated: April 03, 2024 • 334 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"He told me not to tell anyone."

This phrase is used to convey that someone communicated the instruction not to share information with anyone.

Examples:

He told me not to tell anyone about the surprise party.
She told him not to reveal the secret to anyone.
They told us not to disclose the details of the project to outsiders.

Show examples from the web [+]

He told me not to tell anyone.
He told me not to make the volcano.
He told me not to play near the lab.
He told me not to tell ronnie.
He told me not to believe the news.
He told me not to report it.
He told me not to involve the police.
He told me not to tell anyone.
He told me not to make a sound.
He told me not to open the weapons compartment.
He told me not to tell.
He told me not to play with his feelings.
He told me not to open it.
He told me not to worry.
He told me not to contact you.
He told me not to cry.
He told me not to come near his house.
He told me not to worry and went off.
He told me not to jump in the water, so of course I did and...
He told me not to walk along the top, and I didn't listen.
He told me not to put anything in writing, and I never did.

Alternatives:

He instructed me not to tell anyone.
He informed me not to share it with anyone.
He warned me not to disclose the information.
He advised me not to reveal the secret.
He commanded me not to spread the news.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"He said not to tell anyone."

This phrase is used to convey that someone communicated the instruction not to share information with anyone, but in a slightly more indirect way compared to using 'told'.

Examples:

She said not to tell anyone about the incident.
They said not to disclose the details of the meeting.
He said not to reveal the surprise party plan to anyone.

Show examples from the web [+]

He said not to tell anyone.
He said not to worry. Janey's with an adult.
He said not to come today.
He said not to worry about catching 'em.
He said not to let you have it.
He said not to do anything.
He said not to indulge her.
He said not to tell you because it's classified.
He said not to call him for a while.
He said not to make me angry.
He said not to open for strangers.
No. He said not to read it.
He said not to even share the same covers.
He said not to embarrass you, Auntie.
He said not to go out.
He said not to worry, though... he had my back.
He said not to kill me.
He said not to read it.
He said not to wait up for him.
He said not to tell anyone anything about what I knew.
He said not to touch the books

Alternatives:

He mentioned not to tell anyone.
He communicated not to share it with anyone.
He expressed not to disclose the information.
He articulated not to reveal the secret.
He stated not to spread the news.

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He told me not to tell anyone. vs He said not to tell anyone.