Meaning
"Didn’t I tell you to" to focuses on a specific past event. It implies that the speaker is pointing out a specific time when they communicated the information. It has a tone of annoyance or disbelief that the listener forgot or ignored what was said.
Today's Sentences
- Didn’t I tell you to wear a hat?
- Didn’t I tell you to lock the door?
- Didn’t I tell you to mop the floor?
- Didn’t I tell you to wash the dishes?
- Didn’t I tell you to finish painting the walls?
- Writer's Note
01
Didn’t I tell you to wear a hat?
Situation 1
It’s really sunny today!
Didn’t I tell you to wear a hat?
I brought one, don’t worry.
Hats are a must when the weather is this clear and sunny.
Situation 2
Didn’t I tell you to wear a hat?
Yea, but I forgot to bring one.
Let’s see if we can buy one for you then.
I saw a vendor selling hats down the street.
02
Didn’t I tell you to lock the door?
Situation 1
Didn’t I tell you to lock the door?
I did.
Can you go check again?
Fine.
Situation 2
You know what?
I think the office doors are still open.
Didn’t I tell you to lock the door?
You did.
But I completely forgot to go back and lock it after the meeting.
I’ll drop by the office so you don't have to but next time I’d like you to double check please.
03
Didn’t I tell you to mop the floor?
Situation 1
The floors are so sticky.
Didn’t I tell you to mop the floor?
I was about to but then I spilt juice everywhere.
I’ll help you clean up.
Thanks.
Situation 2
These black marks are still here.
Didn’t I tell you to mop the floor?
I’ll do it right now.
Were there a lot of customers in this morning?
We had a weekday rush and also some deliveries that made more marks on the floor.
04
Didn’t I tell you to wash the dishes?
Situation 1
Why is the kitchen such a mess?
What mess?
Didn’t I tell you to wash the dishes?
I totally forgot, sorry.
Situation 2
Didn’t I tell you to wash the dishes?
I was busy and couldn’t get to it.
If you don’t wash the dishes the kitchen will start to smell bad.
I’ll try to be more responsible with the house chores.
05
Didn’t I tell you to finish painting the walls?
Situation 1
Didn’t I tell you to finish painting the walls?
I’m so tired from painting the rooms all day yesterday.
Once you open the can you should try to use it as soon as you can.
But I think I need a day of rest in between.
Situation 2
What’s up with this room?
Didn’t I tell you to finish painting the walls?
I just can’t anymore.
Why?
I started with excitement but now painting the house feels overwhelming.
Writer's Note
Say vs. Tell
"Say" and "tell" are both used to communicate information from one person to another. When using "say", you don't need to include whom the information was given by however, when using "tell" you must include "I/he/she/they/we".
*REMEMBER: "Say = said", "Tell = told"* Maintain the tense within the sentence.
Say/Said
- She says that she doesn't like pizza.
- I always say, 'Better safe than sorry'.
- He said that he'd come to visit me in the summer.
- We said what we said, no regrets.
- He said something in Spanish and it sounded heavenly.
Tell/Told
- I came to tell you that he didn't make it. I'm so sorry.
- If you see him, tell him I say hello.
- They told us to leave the property.
- He told them to come into work on their day off.
- I haven't told you the good news! I just got a book deal!
BONUS - Use two in the same sentence! She says she can't tell you because it's a secret.
Therefore this is why we don't use "Did I tell you" NOT "Did I say you" and "Didn't I tell you" NOT "Didn't I say you".
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