Word of the Day: Tell
tell / told / told / telling
The verb “tell” is similar to “say,” but it is often used for commands.
This verb is also used for indirect speech and for providing information about an event.
1. Marty wants to tell Gabriella he loves her, but he’s not sure what she will say in response. (“Tell” is often used in the form of the infinitive after “want” and “need.”)
2. He’s telling everyone not to do business with the company he works for because he’s on strike for better working conditions.
3. He was told by his boss to work a little harder on attracting new customers.(passive voice, past tense)
4. His neighbors told him many times to turn down his music, but he never did. Now the police are telling him to turn it down.
5. I told him not to make a fool of himself, but he didn’t listen.
6. His stomach is telling him that it’s time to eat.
7. Tell me what’s bothering you and I’ll try to help.
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present tense: tell / tells
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past tense: told
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future: will tell
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present continuous: am / is / are / telling
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past continuous: was / were telling
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future continuous: will be telling
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present perfect: has / have told
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past perfect: had told
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future perfect: will have told
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present perfect continuous: has / have been telling
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past perfect continuous: had been telling
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future perfect continuous: (difficult to use)
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modal verbs: ______ tell
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past tense modal: ______ have told
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infinitive: to tell
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gerund: telling
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passive: yes
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Essential English Dictionary
Visit the Popular English Words Beginning with T page to see the list of all words starting with letter T. For seeing the HiCafe dictionary, visit the Popular English Words with Meaning page.
