Q:

What is correct: "I am saying..." or "I am telling..."?

Possible Duplicate:
“Nothing to tell” versus “nothing to say”
“Told” vs. “Said to” somebody? 

Are both of these sentences correct? If so, what is the difference between them? My friend told me that first one is not commonly used. I would be glad if someone can clarify this.

I am saying this for the second time that I am not coming.

or

I am telling you this for the second time that I am not coming. 

A:

A native speaker would say neither of those, but something like This is the second time I've had to tell you that I'm not coming. In any case, tell not say, and you don't need both  this (after telling) and that I am not coming.

