30 Essential Collocations with TELL : Boost Your English Fluency

Collocations are a crucial aspect of mastering the English language. They are combinations of words that frequently appear together, forming a natural and expected pattern. Understanding and using collocations can significantly enhance your fluency and make your speech and writing more native-like. One such common verb is “tell,” which pairs with various words to form meaningful phrases. In this blog post, we will explore 30 essential collocations with tell.

Each collocation will include its definition, phonetic transcription, and two example sentences to help you grasp its usage in everyday contexts. Whether you’re a language learner, an educator, or a content writer, these collocations will enrich your vocabulary and improve your communication skills. So, let’s dive into the fascinating world of collocations with “tell”!

30 Essential Collocations with TELL 😂 Boost Your English Fluency

By mastering these collocations, you can avoid common language pitfalls and express yourself more precisely and idiomatically. This blog post will delve into 30 common collocations with “tell,” offering definitions, phonetic transcriptions, and example sentences for each. Whether you’re an ESL student, a business professional, or an avid English learner, this comprehensive guide will provide you with valuable insights and practical knowledge to improve your language proficiency.

From “tell a story” to “tell the truth,” each collocation is carefully selected to enhance your understanding and usage of the verb “tell.” Let’s dive into the fascinating world of collocations and start speaking English more naturally today!

#1. Tell a Story 📖

Definition: To narrate a sequence of events or incidents.
Phonetic Transcription: /tɛl ə ˈstɔːri/
Examples:

1. Grandma loves to tell a story about her childhood adventures.
2. He told a story so captivating that everyone listened in awe.

#2. Tell the Truth 🤥

Definition: To speak honestly without lying.
Phonetic Transcription: /tɛl ðə truːθ/
Examples:

1. It’s important to always tell the truth, even if it’s difficult.
2. She promised to tell the truth during the entire trial.

#3. Tell a Lie 🤥

Definition: To say something that is not true.
Phonetic Transcription: /tɛl ə laɪ/
Examples:

1. He was caught when he tried to tell a lie about his whereabouts.
2. Children often get into trouble when they tell a lie.

#4. Tell a Secret 🤫

Definition: To reveal something that is meant to be kept confidential.
Phonetic Transcription: /tɛl ə ˈsiːkrət/
Examples:

1. Can you promise not to tell a secret to anyone else?
2. She couldn’t resist and told a secret to her best friend.

#5. Tell a Joke 😂

Definition: To narrate something funny.
Phonetic Transcription: /tɛl ə dʒoʊk/
Examples:

1. He loves to tell a joke whenever the mood gets too serious.
2. She told a joke that had everyone laughing out loud.

#6. Tell the Difference 🕵️‍♂️

Definition: To distinguish between two or more things.
Phonetic Transcription: /tɛl ðə ˈdɪfərəns/
Examples:

1. Can you tell the difference between these two shades of blue?
2. It’s hard to tell the difference between the twins.

#7. Tell Time ⏰

Definition: To be able to read the time from a clock.
Phonetic Transcription: /tɛl taɪm/
Examples:

1. My son is learning to tell time in school.
2. She taught her younger brother how to tell time.

#8. Tell Someone Off 😠

Definition: To reprimand someone harshly.
Phonetic Transcription: /tɛl ˈsʌmwʌn ɔːf/
Examples:

1. The manager told him off for being late.
2. She was told off by her parents for breaking curfew.

#9. Tell the Future 🔮

Definition: To predict what will happen.
Phonetic Transcription: /tɛl ðə ˈfjuːtʃər/
Examples:

1. No one can truly tell the future with certainty.
2. She claimed to have the ability to tell the future.

#10. Tell Tales 🗣️

Definition: To spread rumors or gossip.
Phonetic Transcription: /tɛl teɪlz/
Examples:

1. He got into trouble for telling tales about his classmates.
2. It’s not nice to tell tales about others.

#11. Tell the Time 🕒

Definition: Same as “tell time,” to read the clock.
Phonetic Transcription: /tɛl ðə taɪm/
Examples:

1. Can you tell the time by looking at the sun?
2. She asked him to tell the time during the exam.

#12. Tell the Truth About 🤐

Definition: To reveal the reality of a situation.
Phonetic Transcription: /tɛl ðə truːθ əˈbaʊt/
Examples:

1. He decided to tell the truth about what happened that night.
2. She finally told the truth about her involvement.

#13. Tell Someone Apart 👥

Definition: To distinguish one person from another.
Phonetic Transcription: /tɛl ˈsʌmwʌn əˈpɑrt/
Examples:

1. It’s hard to tell the twins apart.
2. Can you tell the difference between these two paintings?

#14. Tell a Tale 🧙‍♂️

Definition: To narrate a story, often one that is fictional or exaggerated.
Phonetic Transcription: /tɛl ə teɪl/
Examples:

1. The children love it when their grandfather tells a tale.
2. She told a tale about dragons and knights.

#15. Tell a White Lie 🤥

Definition: To tell a harmless or small lie, often to avoid hurting someone’s feelings.
Phonetic Transcription: /tɛl ə waɪt laɪ/
Examples:

1. She told a white lie to avoid hurting his feelings.
2. Sometimes, telling a white lie can keep the peace.

#16. Tell a Fortune 🔮

Definition: To predict someone’s future, often using methods like tarot cards or astrology.
Phonetic Transcription: /tɛl ə ˈfɔrtʃən/
Examples:

1. The gypsy offered to tell my fortune.
2. He visited a psychic to have his fortune told.

#17. Tell Someone’s Fortune 🔮

Definition: Similar to “tell a fortune,” to predict someone’s future.
Phonetic Transcription: /tɛl ˈsʌmwʌnz ˈfɔrtʃən/
Examples:

1. She can tell someone’s fortune using palm reading.
2. He made a living by telling people’s fortunes.

#18. Tell Right from Wrong 🤔

Definition: To distinguish between what is morally correct and incorrect.
Phonetic Transcription: /tɛl raɪt frəm rɔŋ/
Examples:

1. It’s important to teach children to tell right from wrong.
2. Can you tell right from wrong in this situation?

#19. Tell the World 🌍

Definition: To make something known publicly.
Phonetic Transcription: /tɛl ðə wɜrld/
Examples:

1. She was so happy she wanted to tell the world about her engagement.
2. He told the world his big secret on social media.

#20. Tell by Heart 💖

Definition: To know something thoroughly and be able to recite it without effort.
Phonetic Transcription: /tɛl baɪ hɑrt/
Examples:

1. She can tell the poem by heart.
2. He told the entire speech by heart.

#21. Tell on Someone 😡

Definition: To inform an authority figure about someone’s misdeeds.
Phonetic Transcription: /tɛl ɑn ˈsʌmwʌn/
Examples:

1. The student threatened to tell on her classmate.
2. It’s not nice to tell on someone just to get them in trouble.

#22. Tell a Mile Off 👀

Definition: To recognize or notice something very easily.
Phonetic Transcription: /tɛl ə maɪl ɔf/
Examples:

1. You could tell a mile off that he was nervous.
2. I could tell a mile off that something was wrong.

#23. Tell Yourself 🧘‍♀️

Definition: To convince oneself of something.
Phonetic Transcription: /tɛl jʊrˈsɛlf/
Examples:

1. She kept telling herself that everything would be okay.
2. He told himself to stay calm and focused.

#24. Tell in Advance 🔮

Definition: To inform or notify before something happens.
Phonetic Transcription: /tɛl ɪn ədˈvæns/
Examples:

1. Please tell me in advance if you plan to come.
2. They told their parents in advance about their decision.

#25. Tell No Tales 🤐

Definition: To keep something secret or not reveal anything.
Phonetic Transcription: /tɛl noʊ teɪlz/
Examples:

1. Dead men tell no tales, as the saying goes.
2. He promised to tell no tales about what he saw.

#26. Tell on Yourself 😓

Definition: To confess or admit one’s own wrongdoing.
Phonetic Transcription: /tɛl ɑn jʊrˈsɛlf/
Examples:

1. He decided to tell on himself before anyone else found out.
2. She told on herself for breaking the vase.

#27. Tell a Fable 📜

Definition: To narrate a short story, typically with a moral lesson.
Phonetic Transcription: /tɛl ə ˈfeɪbəl/
Examples:

1. The teacher told a fable to illustrate the lesson.
2. He loves telling fables to his children before bed.

#28. Tell a Rumor 🗣️

Definition: To spread a piece of gossip or unverified information.
Phonetic Transcription: /tɛl ə ˈruːmər/
Examples:

1. She told a rumor that quickly spread through the school.
2. It’s not good to tell rumors without knowing the facts.

#29. Tell Tales Out of School 🏫

Definition: To reveal confidential or private matters.
Phonetic Transcription: /tɛl teɪlz aʊt əv skul/
Examples:

1. He got in trouble for telling tales out of school.
2. She was known for telling tales out of school.

#30. Tell a Secret in Confidence 🤫

Definition: To share a secret under the condition that it will not be revealed to others.
Phonetic Transcription: /tɛl ə ˈsiːkrət ɪn ˈkɑnfɪdəns/
Examples:

1. She told him a secret in confidence, hoping he would keep it.
2. He assured her that he would keep any secret told in confidence.

Collocations With Table

Most Common Collocations With Worksheet

Conclusion

Mastering collocations with “tell” can significantly enhance your English communication skills, making your speech and writing more fluent and natural. These 30 collocations provide a broad range of expressions, from telling a joke to telling the truth, that are useful in various contexts. Understanding and practicing these collocations will help you avoid common mistakes and convey your thoughts more precisely.

Whether you’re an English learner aiming to pass exams, a professional looking to improve your business English, or simply someone who wants to communicate more effectively, these collocations are invaluable tools. Incorporate them into your daily language practice, and you’ll soon notice a remarkable improvement in your ability to express yourself clearly and naturally.

Remember, language learning is a journey, and every new collocation you master is a step towards greater fluency. Keep practicing, stay curious, and continue exploring the rich world of English collocations. Your efforts will pay off, making your communication more engaging and effective.

Happy learning! 😊

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