Question

When to use said and told in direct and indirect speech?

Answer 1

Hey there !

Most of the times 'said' is used in direct speech.
When in direct speech the reporting verb is 'said to' or 'says to' then in the indirect speech it changes to 'told' or 'tells' , respectively.
For example :-
1.Direct
He said to me,"I am a doctor."
1.Indirect
He told me that he was a doctor.

2. Direct
He says to me,"I am a doctor."
2. Indirect
He tells me that he is a doctor.

Hope it helps :-)