When it comes to the English language, learning collocations is an essential step toward mastering fluency. One such important verb that frequently appears in English is “tell.” Collocations with tell are phrases where “tell” combines with other words to convey a particular meaning. Understanding these collocations can enhance your speaking and writing skills, making your communication sound more natural and native-like. Whether you’re telling a story, giving advice, or explaining something, using the right collocations with “tell” will ensure your messages are clear and precise. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common collocations with “tell” and how they are used in everyday language.
Important collocation with “Tell”
- Tell a story
- Tell a joke
- Tell the truth
- Tell a lie
- Tell a secret
- Tell a tale
- Tell someone
- Tell me
- Tell your friend
- Tell the answer
- Tell the time
- Tell the news
- Tell the way
- Tell a fact
- Tell a number
- Tell a fact
- Tell a riddle
- Tell a poem
- Tell a storybook
- Tell a dream
- Tell a lesson
- Tell a reason
- Tell a fact
- Tell a number
- Tell the story
- Tell a message
- Tell a truth
- Tell the meaning
- Tell a tale
- Tell a plan
- Tell a joke
- Tell a problem
- Tell a wish
- Tell a fact
- Tell a lie
- Tell a hint
- Tell a tale
- Tell a joke
- Tell the rules
- Tell a secret
- Tell a storybook
- Tell a clue
- Tell the way
- Tell the plan
- Tell the joke
- Tell a dream
- Tell a story
- Tell a plan
- Tell the name
- Tell the answer
- Tell a person
- Tell the number
- Tell the truth
- Tell a story
- Tell a point
- Tell the time
- Tell the way
- Tell the reason
- Tell a joke
- Tell a goal
- Tell a dream
- Tell a method
- Tell a trick
- Tell a fact
- Tell a story
- Tell the rules
- Tell the joke
- Tell a hint
- Tell a wish
- Tell a problem
- Tell a goal
- Tell a fact
- Tell the story
- Tell the name
- Tell the truth
- Tell a clue
- Tell the reason
- Tell a lesson
- Tell a person
- Tell a plan
- Tell a fact
- Tell a message
- Tell a joke
- Tell a story
- Tell a tip
- Tell a wish
- Tell the answer
- Tell the plan
- Tell a number
- Tell a point
- Tell the news
- Tell the rules
- Tell a trick
- Tell the time
- Tell a hint
- Tell the way
- Tell the reason
- Tell a clue
- Tell a message
- Tell a story
- Tell a goal
- Tell a number
- Tell a plan
- Tell a fact
- Tell a lesson
- Tell the name
- Tell a truth
- Tell the story
- Tell a trick
- Tell a wish
- Tell the news
- Tell a clue
- Tell a problem
- Tell the way
- Tell a person
- Tell a riddle
- Tell a fact
- Tell the rules
- Tell a tale
- Tell the meaning
- Tell the truth
- Tell a number
- Tell the time
- Tell a story
- Tell a plan
- Tell a joke
- Tell a lesson
- Tell a wish
- Tell the news
- Tell a dream
- Tell a secret
- Tell the name
- Tell a fact
- Tell the way
- Tell a clue
- Tell a point
- Tell a hint
- Tell the rules
- Tell a story
- Tell the plan
- Tell a lesson
- Tell a number
- Tell a goal
- Tell the truth
- Tell a message
- Tell a riddle
- Tell a point
- Tell the news
- Tell a tale
- Tell a joke
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What are collocations with “tell”?
Collocations with “tell” are combinations of words that are often used together in English. For example, the phrase “tell the truth” is a common collocation, meaning to speak honestly. These word pairings are often habitual and sound more natural to native speakers. Some examples of collocations with “tell” include “tell a lie,” “tell a story,” and “tell the difference.”
2. How do collocations with “tell” improve my English?
Understanding and using collocations with “tell” can significantly improve your fluency in English. Instead of using the word “tell” in an unnatural or awkward way, you’ll be able to sound more like a native speaker. These word combinations help you use the correct expressions that people commonly use in daily conversations. For instance, instead of saying “say the truth,” you would say “tell the truth,” which sounds much more natural and idiomatic.
3. Can I use “tell” in formal situations?
Yes, “tell” can be used in both formal and informal situations. However, the collocations you choose may vary depending on the setting. For instance, in a formal situation, you might say “tell the truth” or “tell someone the news.” In an informal setting, phrases like “tell a joke” or “tell a secret” are commonly used. The key is to adjust your language to fit the tone and context of the conversation.
4. What are some common collocations with “tell”?
There are many common collocations with “tell” that you will often come across in conversations. Here are some examples:
- Tell the truth – To be honest.
- Tell a lie – To speak something untrue.
- Tell a story – To narrate an event or experience.
- Tell the time – To state the current time.
- Tell the difference – To recognize the distinctions between two things.
- Tell someone off – To scold or reprimand someone.
- Tell a joke – To share something funny.
5. How can I practice using collocations with “tell”?
Practicing collocations with “tell” can be easy and fun. You can start by reading books, articles, or watching videos where native speakers use these expressions. Pay attention to how “tell” is combined with other words in different contexts. Try to mimic these phrases when speaking or writing to improve your fluency. You can also practice by writing sentences or dialogues using common collocations with “tell,” and gradually incorporate them into your everyday speech.
6. Are there any specific collocations for business or professional settings?
Yes, in business and professional settings, some collocations with “tell” are more appropriate. Here are some examples:
- Tell someone the details – To provide important information.
- Tell someone the facts – To share accurate information.
- Tell someone the news – To inform someone of updates or developments.
- Tell someone about a meeting – To inform someone about a scheduled work event.
7. Is “tell” only used in the present tense?
No, “tell” can be used in various tenses. For example:
- Present tense: “I tell the truth every day.”
- Past tense: “She told me a funny story yesterday.”
- Future tense: “I will tell you everything after the meeting.”
- Present perfect tense: “I have told him the news already.”