tell
Irregular (told, told) Level A1 ⭐ #10 Most CommonEnglish translation: to tell / to narrate / to order
Present Simple (Present)
Telling currently
| Subject Pronoun | Conjugation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| I | tell | |
| you | tell | |
| he/she/it | tells | |
| we | tell | |
| you (all) | tell | |
| they | tell |
- He always tells hilarious jokes at dinner. — Il raconte toujours des blagues hilarantes au dîner.
🎴 Flashcard Practice Mode
Flip through pronouns to test active recall for 'tell'
Tap anywhere to reveal conjugation ↻
Tap to flip back
Keyboard shortcuts: Space to flip • ← / → arrow keys to switch
Frequently Asked Questions: TELL
Is "tell" a regular or irregular verb in English? ▾
"tell" is classified as a Irregular (told, told) verb in English. Its characteristic conjugation pattern is "tell -> told -> told". D-stem irregular verb: tell, told, told. Mandates a direct personal recipient (tell someone). Always followed by a personal object without 'to': 'He told me the truth' (compare: He said to me).
What does "tell" mean in English? ▾
In English, "tell" translates primarily to "to tell / to narrate / to order". In natural speech, it is commonly used across CEFR level A1 contexts for everyday communication.
What is the most frequent mistake learners make with "tell"? ▾
A frequent error is saying "He told to me that he was tired." instead of "He told me that he was tired.". Why? Tell does not take the preposition 'to' before the person being addressed: 'He told me', never *told to me.
What are common idioms or expressions with "tell"? ▾
A popular idiom is "Tell the truth" which means "To be honest" (e.g. "Always tell the truth, no matter what.").
How can I practice and memorize "tell" conjugations? ▾
Use Verbpedia's built-in interactive flashcards, pronounce each form using native Web Speech audio, and complete the instant mini-quiz below. You can also print a distraction-free A4 cheat sheet using the Print button above.
Struggling with 'tell' in real conversations?
Memorizing charts is only 20% of fluency. Speak naturally with certified native English tutors on Preply. Book your first trial lesson today with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Quick Practice: Fill in the Blanks
Test your understanding of 'tell' across tenses
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Other Important English Verbs to Study
to exist / to have a state or quality
to move from one place to another
to possess / auxiliary for perfect tenses
to perceive with the eyes / understand
to create, produce, or cause
to grasp, carry, or acquire
to obtain, receive, or become
to move toward a destination / arrive
to consume food
to run / move rapidly / operate
to be aware of / recognize
to pick / select / elect
to speak / to talk
to bring / to carry toward
to think / to ponder / to believe
to give / to hand over / to grant
to find / to discover / to locate