mindmap root((说话)) say basically means to articulate words: ~ each word carefully and clearly; but it may be used in reporting something voiced: he ~ he would be home soon; or in implying the fact of putting in speech or writing: be careful what you ~ to that man. utter stresses the use of the voice and the act of putting into spoken words: ~ed a faint response; and is appropriate for reference to vocal sounds other than words: ~ a hoarse laugh. tell stresses the imparting of an idea or information and may refer to either spoken or written communication or other method to present an idea: an attempt to ~ the story of her life. state may replace say when the added implication of clearness and definiteness is needed: ~ one's objections to a proposal.