to tell
to tell
'Tell' is an irregular verb: tell / told / told. It normally takes a personal object: tell somebody (something). Compare with 'say', which does not.
Tell me the truth.
Tell me the truth.
Indicative
Present Simple
I always tell my children a bedtime story.
I always tell my children a bedtime story.
You tell wonderful jokes.
You tell wonderful jokes.
The clock tells the wrong time.
The clock tells the wrong time.
We tell each other everything.
We tell each other everything.
You tell the story differently every time.
You tell the story differently every time.
They tell tourists about the town's history.
They tell tourists about the town's history.
Present Continuous
I am telling you the truth right now.
I am telling you the truth right now.
You are telling everyone the same excuse.
You are telling everyone the same excuse.
She is telling the kids a scary story.
She is telling the kids a scary story.
We are telling him the news gently.
We are telling him the news gently.
You are telling me this far too late.
You are telling me this far too late.
They are telling everyone about the wedding.
They are telling everyone about the wedding.
Past Simple
I told him to be careful on the ice.
I told him to be careful on the ice.
You told me you would be late.
You told me you would be late.
She told the whole story in one breath.
She told the whole story in one breath.
We told the truth and faced the consequences.
We told the truth and faced the consequences.
You told us a completely different story before.
You told us a completely different story before.
They told the police everything they saw.
They told the police everything they saw.
Present Perfect
I have told you this a hundred times.
I have told you this a hundred times.
You have told nobody about the plan yet.
You have told nobody about the plan yet.
She has told her boss she is leaving.
She has told her boss she is leaving.
We have told them the good news already.
We have told them the good news already.
You have told the same lie too many times.
You have told the same lie too many times.
They have told us not to wait for them.
They have told us not to wait for them.
Past Perfect
I had told her the secret before the party.
I had told her the secret before the party.
You had told me a different date earlier.
You had told me a different date earlier.
He had told no one where he was going.
He had told no one where he was going.
We had told the guests the wrong address.
We had told the guests the wrong address.
You had told them everything by the time I arrived.
You had told them everything by the time I arrived.
They had told us to expect delays.
They had told us to expect delays.
Future Simple (will)
Future Simple
I will tell you when it is ready.
I will tell you when it is ready.
You will tell me the moment you hear anything.
You will tell me the moment you hear anything.
Only time will tell if it works.
Only time will tell if it works.
We will tell the neighbours about the party.
We will tell the neighbours about the party.
You will tell the children the good news yourselves.
You will tell the children the good news yourselves.
They will tell us the results tomorrow.
They will tell us the results tomorrow.
Conditional
Present Conditional (would)
Present Conditional
I would tell you if I knew.
I would tell you if I knew.
You would tell a white lie to spare her feelings.
You would tell a white lie to spare her feelings.
She would tell you the same thing.
She would tell you the same thing.
We would tell the truth even if it hurt.
We would tell the truth even if it hurt.
You would tell a better story with more detail.
You would tell a better story with more detail.
They would tell you not to worry.
They would tell you not to worry.
Perfect Conditional (would have)
Perfect Conditional
I would have told you sooner if I had known.
I would have told you sooner if I had known.
You would have told a different story under pressure.
You would have told a different story under pressure.
He would have told the truth, but he was afraid.
He would have told the truth, but he was afraid.
We would have told you, but there was no time.
We would have told you, but there was no time.
You would have told us about the change in advance.
You would have told us about the change in advance.
They would have told the neighbours before selling.
They would have told the neighbours before selling.
Imperative
Imperative
Tell me what happened at school today.
Tell me what happened at school today.
Let's tell them the good news together.
Let's tell them the good news together.
