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Say vs. Tell, Advice, and Promises: Communication Collocations: correct answers

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Say vs. Tell, Advice, and Promises: Communication Collocations

Do you know when to tell someone news but say something is true? Communication collocations are essential for natural English, but choosing between similar verbs like "say" and "tell" often confuses learners.

This challenge covers essential communication patterns: the key differences between say and tell in various contexts, common collocations with advice (give advice, follow advice, take advice), promise expressions (make promises, keep promises, break promises), and argument vocabulary (have an argument, settle an argument). You'll encounter real-life scenarios including sharing news, career counseling, wedding vows, workplace conflicts, and relationship discussions across 23 questions in single-choice, drop-down, drag-and-drop, and multi-choice formats.

Try the quiz to check your knowledge!

EasyHardMediumA2 | Elementary | Pre-intermediateA2B1 | IntermediateB1B2 | Upper IntermediateB2Countable and uncountableIndirect speechInfinitiveNounObjectPast tensePhrasal verbVerbCollocations

Correct answers

Question 1

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

The patient decided to ___ the doctor's instructions and take the medication three times daily.

The correct answer is follow.

We "follow instructions" when we act according to specific directions or guidelines. While we can "take advice" in general, we specifically "follow instructions" when carrying out detailed directions like medical prescriptions.

Question 2

Help complete the restaurant owner's thoughts about customer feedback.
The customers always _________________________ me helpful advice about improving the menu. I really should _________________________ their advice more seriously. Last week, someone _________________________ me excellent advice about adding more vegetarian options. I'm glad I _________________________ that advice - sales have increased!

give me helpful advice - We "give" advice to someone.

take their advice - We "take" advice when we follow or accept it.

gave me excellent advice - We "give" advice to others.

took that advice - We "take" advice when we follow the suggestions.

Question 3

Help Emma express her commitments correctly. Select ALL the sentences that use "promise" collocations properly.
Which sentences about promises use the correct collocations?

The correct answers are I promise to call you tonight, She made a promise to study harder, He promised me that he would arrive early, and They kept their promise about the surprise party.

We use "promise to do something," "promise + indirect object + that clause," or "promise that + clause." Common collocations include "make/keep/break a promise." The incorrect option uses the wrong preposition "about" before a gerund phrase with "promise."

Question 4

Complete the story about wedding planning promises using the correct verb collocations.
Last month, Sarah _________________________ a promise to help plan her best friend's wedding. She successfully _________________________ that promise by organizing the entire reception. However, when the florist cancelled, Sarah _________________________ her promise to arrange the perfect bouquet because she ran out of time. Despite this setback, her friend was grateful that Sarah had _________________________ her main commitment to make the wedding special.

made a promise - We "make" promises when we first create the commitment.

kept that promise - We "keep" promises when we successfully fulfill them.

broke her promise - We "break" promises when we fail to fulfill them.

fulfilled her main commitment - We "fulfill" commitments when we complete them successfully.

Question 5

Help Maria complete her diary entry about a conversation with her best friend. Choose the correct words to complete the sentences.

Yesterday, my friend told me about her new job. She said it was really exciting but challenging. I told her I was proud of her achievements.

Yesterday, my friend told me about her new job.

Use "told" when mentioning who you're speaking to (told + person).

She said it was really exciting but challenging.

Use "said" when reporting what someone expressed without mentioning the listener.

I told her I was proud of her achievements.

Use "told" when mentioning who you're speaking to (told + person).

Question 6

Help Tom choose the right expressions for his story about a misunderstanding with friends. Select ALL the correct communication collocations.
Which sentences use communication collocations correctly?

The correct answers are She refused to tell me the whole story, I should have asked for advice before making that decision, and Can you promise not to say anything to anyone?.

Remember: "tell someone something" (not "say someone"), "ask for advice" (common collocation), "promise not to do" (correct structure), and "have an argument" (not "make").

Question 7

Complete this relationship counselor's notes about a couple's communication issues.
The couple frequently _________________________ arguments about money. Yesterday, they _________________________ their worst argument yet. The husband _________________________ his promise to discuss major purchases first. When I _________________________ them advice about better communication, the wife _________________________ she would try harder. She _________________________ her husband that they needed professional help.

gets into arguments - We "get into" arguments when we start fighting.

had their worst argument - We "have" arguments, especially when describing specific instances.

broke his promise - We "break" promises when we fail to keep our commitments.

gave them advice - Counselors "give" advice to their clients.

said she would try - We use "say" when reporting someone's words without mentioning the listener.

told her husband - We use "tell" when we specify who received the message.

Question 8

Help Sophie complete her diary entry about her friendship troubles. Select ALL the sentences that use relationship collocations correctly to finish her story.
Sophie's Diary Entry: "Today was really difficult with my best friend Emma. I need to write down what happened so I can figure out how to fix things..."
Which sentences correctly complete Sophie's diary entry?

The correct answers are Emma broke her promise to meet me at the café after school, We almost had an argument about her canceling our plans again, and I decided to make up with her by sending a heartfelt text message.

Key relationship collocations: "break a promise" (fail to keep a commitment), "have an argument" (engage in a disagreement), and "make up with someone" (reconcile after a conflict). Remember that "advice" is uncountable (not "advices") and we use "tell someone" not "say someone."

Question 9

Complete the conversation between two friends sharing news.
Maria wants to _________________________ her best friend about the surprise party, but she doesn't know how to _________________________ it without spoiling the fun. She decides to _________________________ him that everyone is planning something special, then _________________________ "You'll love what we have in store for you!"

tell her best friend - We use "tell" when we mention the person we're speaking to.

say it - We use "say" when focusing on the words themselves, not the listener.

tell him - We use "tell" when we mention who receives the information.

says - We use "say" when reporting direct speech or focusing on the exact words.

Question 10

Help Maria choose the correct ways to complete her sentences about school gossip. Select ALL the options that are grammatically correct.
Which of these sentences use "say" and "tell" correctly?

The correct answers are She told me a secret about the new teacher, Can you tell the difference between these two stories?, and They say that exams will be easier this year.

We use "tell" with an indirect object (tell someone something) and "say" without a direct personal object. "Tell the difference" is a fixed collocation.

Question 11

Complete the relationship coach's advice column about healthy communication. Choose the correct words to complete the sentences.

When couples follow good advice, they communicate better. If you break promises repeatedly, trust will suffer. Always try to settle arguments calmly rather than letting them escalate.

When couples follow good advice, they communicate better.

We "follow advice" when we act according to the guidance we've received.

If you break promises repeatedly, trust will suffer.

We "break promises" when we fail to keep our commitments.

Always try to settle arguments calmly rather than letting them escalate.

We "settle arguments" when we resolve disagreements peacefully.

Question 12

Complete the story about roommate conflicts and resolutions.
Tom and his roommate _________________________ a terrible argument about cleaning duties last night. The argument _________________________ when Tom accused his roommate of never washing dishes. After shouting for an hour, they finally _________________________ the argument by creating a cleaning schedule. Now they rarely _________________________ arguments about household chores.

had a terrible argument - We "have" arguments, not "make" or "get" them.

started when - Arguments "start" or "begin" with a trigger or cause.

settled the argument - We "settle" arguments when we resolve them peacefully.

get into arguments - We "get into" arguments when we begin fighting or disagreeing.

Question 13

Help the mediator complete her report about a workplace disagreement. Choose the correct words to complete the sentences.

The two employees had a heated argument about the project deadline. They couldn't settle their argument on their own. Fortunately, after our meeting, they managed to avoid future arguments by establishing clear communication rules.

The two employees had a heated argument about the project deadline.

We "have an argument" when we engage in a disagreement or dispute.

They couldn't settle their argument on their own.

We "settle an argument" when we resolve or end a disagreement.

Fortunately, after our meeting, they managed to avoid future arguments by establishing clear communication rules.

We "avoid arguments" when we prevent disagreements from happening.

Question 14

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

The career counselor will ___ you some valuable advice about job interviews.

The correct answer is give.

The standard collocation is "give advice." We give advice to someone, but we don't "make," "do," or "take" advice in this context.

Question 15

Complete the witness's statement about what happened during the meeting. Choose the correct words to complete the sentences.

The manager told everyone that the project was behind schedule. Then she said that we needed to work overtime. Finally, she told us to submit our reports by Friday.

The manager told everyone that the project was behind schedule.

Use "told" when mentioning who received the information (told + everyone).

Then she said that we needed to work overtime.

Use "said" when reporting what was expressed without emphasizing the audience.

Finally, she told us to submit our reports by Friday.

Use "told" when giving instructions to specific people (told + us + to do something).

Question 16

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

I felt terrible when I had to ___ my promise to attend her birthday party.

The correct answer is break.

The standard collocation is "break a promise." While "destroy," "ruin," and "damage" can refer to harming things, we specifically "break" promises, rules, and agreements.

Question 17

Complete Tom's story about making commitments to his family. Choose the correct words to complete the sentences.

Last week, I made a promise to my mom that I would call her every Sunday. She was happy when I kept my promise and called yesterday. I never want to break a promise to someone I love.

Last week, I made a promise to my mom that I would call her every Sunday.

We "make a promise" when we commit to doing something.

She was happy when I kept my promise and called yesterday.

We "keep a promise" when we do what we committed to do.

I never want to break a promise to someone I love.

We "break a promise" when we fail to do what we committed to do.

Question 18

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

During the wedding ceremony, they ___ promises to love each other forever.

The correct answer is made.

The correct collocation is "make a promise" or "make promises." We make promises, commitments, and vows, but we don't "give" or "do" promises.

Question 19

Complete the counselor's notes about giving guidance to students. Choose the correct words to complete the sentences.

I always give advice to students who are struggling. Yesterday, a student asked for advice about choosing a career. I suggested she take my advice and speak to professionals in different fields.

I always give advice to students who are struggling.

We "give advice" to someone - this is the standard collocation.

Yesterday, a student asked for advice about choosing a career.

We "ask for advice" when we want guidance from someone.

I suggested she take my advice and speak to professionals in different fields.

We "take advice" when we accept and follow someone's guidance.

Question 20

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

Sarah wanted to ___ her friends about the exciting news.

The correct answer is tell.

We use "tell" when we mention both the speaker and the listener. "Tell" requires a direct object (her friends). We "say" something, but we "tell" someone something.

Question 21

Complete the workplace communication scenario.
During the meeting, Sarah _________________________ her colleagues about the new project deadline. She _________________________ that everyone needed to work overtime. When her boss _________________________ her some advice about managing the team better, she decided to _________________________ that advice seriously. Later, she _________________________ a promise to improve communication, and so far, she has _________________________ that promise.

told her colleagues - We use "tell" when we mention who receives the information.

said that everyone - We use "say" when introducing reported speech with "that."

gave her some advice - We "give" advice to others.

take that advice - We "take" advice when we accept and follow it.

made a promise - We "make" promises when we create new commitments.

kept that promise - We "keep" promises when we fulfill them successfully.

Question 22

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

The teacher ___ that the test would be postponed until next week.

The correct answer is said.

We use "said" when reporting what someone expressed without mentioning who they said it to. If we mentioned the audience, we would use "told": "The teacher told the students that..."

Question 23

Complete Jake's conversation about career guidance. Select ALL the phrases that correctly go with "advice."
Which expressions with "advice" are correct?

The correct answers are My teacher gave me some excellent advice, Could you offer me a piece of advice?, and I need to ask for advice about university applications.

"Advice" is uncountable, so we say "some advice" or "a piece of advice," never "advices." Common collocations include "give/offer/ask for advice."

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