Question

Choose the most suitable option to replace the highlighted part of the sentence:

She told to me the news.

• A. told me
• B. told for me
• C. said to me
• D. has told to me

Answer 1

Answer:

A. told me

1. Usage of the verb 'Tell':

• The verb 'tell' is a transitive verb that requires a direct personal object (me, him, her, us, them) without a preposition.

• We say: tell + person + something $\rightarrow$ "told me the news".

• Placing the preposition 'to' after told (e.g., "told to me") is grammatically incorrect.

2. Usage of the verb 'Say':

• Unlike 'tell', the verb 'say' takes the preposition 'to' when followed by a personal object.

• We say: say + to + person + something $\rightarrow$ "said to me the news" (though normally expressed as "said the news to me").

Among the given choices, "told me" is the most natural, grammatically sound, and concise replacement.