How to use the verb tell correctly ✅

How do I use ‘tell‘ correctly?

This word is often used in English, but it can be difficult to use correctly.

There are a few different ways to use it so let’s take a look at some common examples and patterns.

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Tell something to someone

I can always tell my secrets to my best friend.

Tell someone something

I can always tell my best friend my secrets.

Tell someone to + base verb (tell someone to do something)

I told my students to do their homework.

Tell someone + noun clause (tell someone some information)

I will tell you what you need to know about the exam.

The teacher told the class when they needed to hand in their essays.

Tell someone about/of something

She told me about her childhood.

Please note:
Tell to someone is incorrect.

I told to my friend my news. ❌

We can either say:

➡️ I told my friend my news or

➡️ I told my news to my friend.

We can also use tell in phrasal verbs.

The teacher told the students off for talking in class.

(to tell someone off means to reprimand or scold someone)

If you want to learn more about phrasal verbs,

please click on my blog➡️ Phrasal verbs- friends or foes?

There are also collocations with the word tell and here are a few common examples:

Tell the truth / tell a lie

Please tell me the truth as I can’t stand it when people tell lies.

Tell a story

I used to love listening to my grandmother telling stories about her childhood.

Tell the time

Can you please tell me the time? I have left my watch at home.

Tell the difference between

I can’t tell the difference between their voices on the phone as they sound exactly the same.

If you want to learn more about collocations, please click on my blog ➡️ collocations

I hope this has helped you to understand how to use tell correctly 😊