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to tell
01
to use words and give someone information
Transitive: to tell sb about sth
Examples
Did he tell you about the new project?
She told her family about her exciting job offer.
1.1
to make confidential information or a secret known
Intransitive
Examples
' How did you do on the exam? ' ' I 'm not telling. You'll have to wait for the results.'
She promised not to tell, but her guilty expression gave her away.
1.2
to use words in order to express or narrate something
Transitive: to tell sth
Ditransitive: to tell sb sth
Examples
Can you tell me if what he said is true or not?
He asked his friend to tell him the truth about what happened.
1.3
to instruct or recommend someone to do a particular thing
Ditransitive: to tell sb to do sth
Examples
He was told to turn off his phone during the movie.
Passengers are required to do as they are told by the flight attendants.
1.4
to provide information or facts about something in non-verbal ways
Ditransitive: to tell sb a piece of information | to tell sb that
Examples
His facial expression told me that he was upset.
The chart tells us the sales performance of the company.
02
to realize or determine with confidence
Transitive: to tell that
Intransitive
Examples
' He 's definitely not from around here. ' ' How can you tell?'
From what I can tell, the weather is going to be nice this weekend.
2.1
to be able to differentiate a person or thing from another
Transitive: to tell the difference between two things | to tell that
Examples
Can you tell which song is the original and which is the cover?
Can you tell which twin is which?
03
to have an effect that is noticeable, particularly a harmful one
Intransitive
Examples
He 's been neglecting his health lately and it 's starting to tell.
The harsh winter is starting to tell on the condition of the roads.
