Language Research

tell · verb

/tel/Full view

tell (SPEAK)

A1 T to say something to someone, usually giving them information

Dictionary examples:

Did she tell you about her holiday?

Can you tell me the way to the station?

Can you tell me what time the next bus leaves?

I told him (that) I was coming to see you.

"I'm leaving you," she told him.

Please can you tell us a story?

Learner example:

I would like to tell you about my favourite place. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Arabic)

tell sb to do sth

A2 to order or advise someone to do something

Dictionary examples:

I told you to stay here.

I told her to go home.

Learner example:

The teacher told us to bring a notebook and a pencil! (Key English Test; A2; Italian)

tell sb how/what/when to do sth

B1 to advise someone how/what/when to do something

Dictionary examples:

Kit will tell you how to get there.

She didn't tell us what to do.

Learner example:

He tells us how to do the different kind[s] of exercises. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Arabic)

I can't tell you how ...

B1 used to emphasize your feelings about something

Dictionary example:

I can't tell you how grateful I am for your help.

Learner example:

I can't tell you how nervous I am. (Preliminary English Test; B1; German)

can tell

B2 to know or recognize something from what you hear, see, etc.

Dictionary examples:

You could tell that he was tired.

You can never tell whether Hajime's being serious or not.

Learner example:

I could tell it was the voice of a man, but I failed to identify it. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

tell the difference ()

C1 to notice a difference between two things

Dictionary examples:

I can't tell the difference between an American and a Canadian accent.

This coffee is about half the price of that one and yet you really can't tell the difference.

Learner example:

Not only will their critical sen[s]e atrophy but also they will not be able to tell the difference between what is right and wrong. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)

tell (UNDERSTAND FROM)

B2 T If something tells you something, it gives you information.

Dictionary example:

What does the survey tell us about the lives of teenagers?

Learner example:

We have all seen the reports which tell us about the problems of pollution from cars. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)

(I'll) tell you what

C2 used to suggest a plan

Dictionary example:

Tell you what, let's go swimming and then get a pizza.

Learner example:

I'll tell you what, why don't you let me pay [for] a hotel room for a week, just the time you need to [make] some arrangements? (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)

I told you so

C2 used to say that you were right and that someone should have believed you

Dictionary examples:

He's lazy? I told you so, didn't I?

'I think I've taken on too much work.' 'I told you so, didn't I?'

Learner example:

See, I told you so", Azman said with a grin. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Chinese)

tell off sb or tell sb off

B2 to speak angrily to someone because they have done something wrong

Dictionary example:

The teacher told me off for swearing.

Learner example:

Then he started shouting at me and telling me off and I felt so bad that I burst into tears in front of [everyone]. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)