English in practice

  92. Told and asked 

• Incorrect: I asked my servant to bring water.

 • Correct: I told my servant to bring water. 

• Incorrect: I told the teacher to excuse me. 

• Correct: I asked the teacher to excuse me. 

Use 'I told him to...' only towards a person to whom you have a right to give an order.

 Use 'I asked him to...' towards a person of whom you can or want to make a request only.