The verb tell is an important irregular verb in English. It means to communicate information, usually by speaking or writing. The past tense form of tell is told. This verb is frequently used in everyday conversations and writing to express the act of giving information or instructions.
Usage of Tell
Tell is typically used when someone conveys information directly to another person. It can also imply narrating a story or giving commands. You usually "tell" someone something, rather than "say" something.
Tell Conjugations
| English Pronoun | English Conjugation | Spanish Conjugation | English Example | Spanish Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | tell | digo | I tell you a secret. | Te digo un secreto. |
| You | tell | dices | You tell the truth. | Dices la verdad. |
| He/She/It | tells | dice | She tells a story. | Ella dice una historia. |
| We | tell | decimos | We tell jokes. | Decimos chistes. |
| You (plural) | tell | decís | You tell the time. | Decís la hora. |
| They | tell | dicen | They tell the news. | Dicen las noticias. |
| All pronouns | told (past tense) | dije/dijo/dijimos... | I told you yesterday. | Te dije ayer. |
Examples in Sentences
- Present: "I tell my friends about my day."
- "Le digo a mis amigos sobre mi día."
- Past: "He told me a funny story yesterday."
- "Él me dijo una historia graciosa ayer."
- Command: "Tell her to come here."
- "Dile que venga aquí."
Summary
The verb tell is an irregular verb with the past tense told. It is commonly used to indicate communication of information directly to someone. Practicing this verb helps in everyday English conversations, especially when sharing stories, facts, or instructions.
