Ben loved languages, but he always mixed up the verbs say, tell, speak, and ask.
One Saturday morning, he walked into the community center with his friends George, Melissa, and Karen carrying a notebook full of grammar questions.
“Please,” Ben said dramatically, “someone help me before my English teacher tells me I failed another quiz.”
Melissa laughed. “First,” she said, “you should not say ‘tell me a question.’ You should say ‘ask me a question.’”
George nodded. “Exactly. We ask questions, but we tell information.”
Karen opened her backpack and spoke quietly. “Why don’t we practice while we plan the school festival?”
Ben smiled. “Great idea! George, can I ask you something?”
“Sure,” George said.
“Did you tell the principal about the music contest yet?”
“Yes,” George answered. “I told her yesterday.”
Melissa pointed at Ben’s notebook. “See? Tell usually needs a person after it. George told her.”
Karen asked, “Who is going to speak at the festival opening ceremony?”
“I think Melissa is going to speak,” George said.
Melissa shook her head. “No way. Every time I speak in front of people, I get nervous.”
Ben laughed. “That’s funny because you always speak very confidently in class.”
Melissa crossed her arms. “Thank you for saying that.”
A few minutes later, the school janitor walked into the room.
“Did someone say there would be loud music?” he asked.
“Yes,” George said politely. “But we promise it will end before 8:00.”
The janitor smiled. “Good. Last year nobody told me about the dance competition.”
Karen whispered to Ben, “Notice something? He said nobody told me.”
Ben nodded proudly. “I’m starting to understand!”
Melissa decided to test him.
“Okay, Ben,” she said. “Which sentence is correct: George said me the answer or George told me the answer?”
Ben grinned. “Easy. George told me the answer.”
George added another question. “Which is correct: Karen spoke with the teacher or Karen told with the teacher?”
“Karen spoke with the teacher,” Ben answered immediately.
Karen clapped. “Perfect! We use speak for conversations or languages.”
Then Melissa asked, “What about this: The principal asked George a question or The principal said George a question?”
Ben laughed loudly. “Definitely asked George a question. We ask questions!”