By now / already - both are adverbs - both are synonyms they both mean: - before expected time - before - earlier - once - previously - then - as of now - at present - before now - by now - by that time - by the time mentioned - by this time For example: He should have arrived by now / He should have already arrived. By now, most people believe in global warming / Most people already believe in global warming. ************************* SAY : Say is used to report someone's words examples : * She said "I'm thirsty." * She said that she was thirsty. Say is followed by 'to' before the object: * Did she say that to you? Say is used to ask about languages : * How do you say 'water' in Spanish? Say is used to tell someone to speak. * say hello * say goodbye * say please * say thank you ---------------------------------------- Tell: Tell is used to inform or instruct or to ask someone to give you (in words/verbally) some information or instruction: * Always tell the truth. * Never tell lies. * Tell the children to go to bed! * Tell me the time please. * Tell me your name. / I already told you my name. * Could you tell me the way to the station please? Tell is used to show the difference between two things. * Can you tell (see) the difference between an apple and an orange? * Can you tell (taste) the difference between cheap wine and expensive wine? Tell is used for narration : * Tom is good at telling stories. ******************************************************** "You listen to it and then you have to tell it (tell what you heard) to the next neighbour." "You listen to it and then you have to say it (repeat what you heard) to the next neighbour." I suggest that the sentence should be: "You listen to it and then you have to repeat it to the next neighbour."

Already - something happened in the past, but it happened sooner than the speaker anticipated By now - at some point before the present moment. You "say words to others" or "tell others words". If it's a story, you "tell a story to others / tell others a story".