L1 - Learn English: SAY or TELL?

say something (to someone)
tell someone something

Example
Maria said she was leaving.
Maria told me she was leaving.
Prof.Brown said the test was cancelled.
Prof.Brown told us the test was cancelled.
The manager said to arrive at 8:00.
The manager told them to arrive at 8:00.
He said “I love you”.
He told me he loved me.
The teacher said “No cheating”.
The teacher told them not to cheat.
The union said “We’re going to strike”.
The union told the management they were going to strike.

Correct
Maria told the flight was delayed. ×
John said the hotel was full. √
Linda said “Get well soon”. √
Jack told to put on the TV. ×
We told room service to bring us some champagne. √
She told “I love ice cream”. ×
The client told we had done a good job. ×