by R. S. Karunaratne

What you should know about 'tell'

"Tell" is an irregular verb (tell-told-told) meaning 'to give or reveal information. It is also used to give an order. In a different context, 'tell' can mean 'recognise' or 'judge.'

1. 'Tell' is used to give information to somebody, about something.

She told the police everything she knew about the crime.

I did not tell mother that I lost my purse.

Don't tell everybody that I'm going abroad.

Tell your parents to be present in school tomorrow.

I am telling you the truth.

2. 'Tell' is used to report what people say.

The secretary told me that Mrs. Handy was in a meeting.

Did I tell you that my son passed the GCE O/L exam?

I was told that my name was in the pass list.

Who told you to meet the director?

3. 'Tell' is used to report answers to questions.

You have to tell the police how you escaped from the robber.

She had to tell the immigration officer how you got such a big amount of dollars.

4. 'Tell' is used to report orders or advice.

Can you tell me where to get off?

Stop telling me what I should do.

They told him to get out.

Itold her to wear a sari for the wedding.

We told him not to watch useless TV programmes.

5. 'Tell' is used to report speech or thoughts directly.

I love you, darling, mother told her daughter.

You can pass the test,' I told myself.

6. 'Tell' is used to give orders or advice.

Tell that boy to be silent.

We told them not to rag freshers.

7. 'Tell' is used to talk about forming a correct judgement about something.

I can tell when you are lying.

I can't tell which is better.

How can I tell you anything by looking at him?

8. Collocations

The following nouns often follow 'tell'

Unless you tell the truth, I can't help you.

You are telling a lie, I'm sure.

Then she started telling a story.

I was just telling a joke.

Can your son tell the time?

I can't tell the difference by simply looking at them.

9. Set phrases

I'm telling you my son is not at fault.

(To emphasize, that you're telling the truth.)

To tell you the truth, I don't like this subject. (you express your real feelings.)

Don't tell me you forgot to bring your purse! (to show surprise)

A: He is an uninspiring teacher.

B: You're telling me!

(You strongly agree)

I'll tell you what, why don't we change the subjects? (To introduce a suggestion)

A: Do you think his plans will work?

B: Time will tell.

(The outcome will be clear later)

10. The difference between 'tell' and 'say' 'Tell' always has a person as its object.

'Say' can never have a person as its object.

I told him to go away.

Who are you to tell me that I should go abroad?

The teacher told me to wipe the board.

She said I was, wrong.

"You're discharged" the judge said.

He said light travels faster than sound.

He had forgotten what he said

They said the film was boring.

What made you to say so?

Electric words

Here's help to increase your word power. Tick off (a), (b), or (c) you think is nearest in meaning to the key word.

Check your answers with the key and enjoy this word game.

1. Some people find modern poetry to be arcane.

(a) interesting

(b) mysterious

(c) dull

2. The most famous literary, conundrum is supposed to be Sophocles' play "Oedipus Rex".

(a) riddle

(b) work

(c) achievement

3. There are many books on demonology in his library.

(a) the study of gods

(b) the study of ghosts

(c) the study of demons

4. The patient who lived indoors for years developed an unhealthy pallor.

(a) symptoms

(b) unnatural paleness

(c) voice

5. Standing next to the world's tallest man, I felt a Lilliputian.

(a) very small person

(b) giant

(c) thin person

*********

Key: 1. (b), 2. (a), 3. (c), 4. (b) 5. (a)

*********

Starters

Reflexive pronouns as objects

A reflexive pronoun is used as the object in a sentence to indicate that the subject and the object refer to the same person or thing.

Alwis saw himself in the mirror.

Subject: Alwis

Object: himself

Alwis and himself refer to the same person.

I washed myself thoroughly.

Subject: I

Object: myself

I and Myself refer to the same person.

Did you enjoy yourself?

He talks about himself.

She pinched herself.

They washed themselves.

Reflective pronouns used in certain phrases have a special meaning.

We enjoyed ourselves at the party.

(We had fun)

The guests helped themselves at the wedding ceremony. (They ate whatever they wanted.)

Behave yourselves, boys! (be good)

My host asked me to make myself at home.

(behave as if in my own home)

He wanted to kick himself when he realised that he had forgotten password.

Activity

Rewrite the following sentences using the reflexive pronouns given within brackets.

1. Please make at home. (yourself)

2. Harrison bought a camera. (himself)

3. Mother drove to school. (herself)

4. She made a cup of coffee. (herself)

5. The tourists served at the hotel. (themselves)

6. The boys arranged in a circle. (themselves)

7. Help to some of the sweets. (yourselves)

8. The dog forced through the gate. (itself)

9. Hitler killer when he lost the war. (himself)

10. I told that I should get up early. (myself)

Key

1. Please make yourself at home.

2. Harrison bought himself a camera.

3. Mother drove herself to school.

4. She made herself a cup of coffee.

5. The tourists served themselves at the hotel.

6. The boys arranged themselves in a circle.

7. Help yourself to some of the sweets.

8. The dog forced itself through the gate.

9. Hitler killed himself when he lost the war.

10.I told myself that I should get up early.