telloh: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
A1Neutral; used in all registers from informal to formal.
Quick answer
What does “telloh” mean?
To communicate information, facts, or news to someone by speaking or writing.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To communicate information, facts, or news to someone by speaking or writing.
To instruct, order, or direct someone; to narrate a story; to reveal secrets; to discern or determine something (e.g., 'tell the difference'); to have a noticeable effect (e.g., 'The strain is starting to tell').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning. Minor differences in some idioms (e.g., 'tell the time' is slightly more common in UK English, while 'tell time' is standard in US English).
Connotations
Similar connotations in both variants.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “telloh” in a Sentence
[Subject] tell [Recipient: IO] [Message: DO][Subject] tell [Recipient] about [Topic][Subject] tell [Message] to [Recipient][Subject] tell [Recipient] (that) [Clause][Subject] tell [Recipient] wh-word [Clause]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “telloh” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Could you tell me the way to the station, please?
- She told him a fantastic story.
- I can't tell the difference between the twins.
- The stress is beginning to tell on the team.
American English
- Can you tell me where the restroom is?
- He told everyone about his promotion.
- It's too early to tell what the outcome will be.
- Her experience really told during the crisis.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used for giving instructions, reporting updates, and providing feedback (e.g., 'Tell the team about the new deadline').
Academic
Used to present findings, recount historical events, or explain processes (e.g., 'The data tells us a different story').
Everyday
Ubiquitous for sharing news, stories, instructions, and opinions (e.g., 'Tell me about your day').
Technical
Used when explaining how a system indicates something (e.g., 'The gauge tells you the pressure level').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “telloh”
- Using 'tell' without an object (e.g., 'He told to me' – correct: 'He told me').
- Confusing 'say' and 'tell' in reported speech (e.g., 'He said me' – correct: 'He told me' or 'He said to me').
- Using 'tell' with a direct quote (e.g., 'She told, "I'm tired."' – correct: 'She said, "I'm tired."').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Say' focuses on the words spoken and is typically used with direct speech or a general statement (e.g., 'He said hello'). 'Tell' always involves communicating information *to someone* and requires a direct or implied listener/recipient (e.g., 'He told me a secret').
Rarely. The verb 'tell' almost always requires an object, either the person being told (indirect object) or the information (direct object), or both. Exceptions exist in a few fixed phrases like 'Time will tell' or 'as far as I can tell'.
It is an irregular verb. Its forms are: tell (base), told (past simple), told (past participle).
It means that the truth or outcome of a situation will only become clear with the passing of time; we must wait to know what will happen.
To communicate information, facts, or news to someone by speaking or writing.
Telloh is usually neutral; used in all registers from informal to formal. in register.
Telloh: in British English it is pronounced /tɛl/, and in American English it is pronounced /tɛl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “tell it like it is”
- “time will tell”
- “tell tales”
- “you're telling me!”
- “to tell you the truth”
- “live to tell the tale”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
TELL rhymes with 'bell' – you ring a bell to get someone's attention, and you TELL someone to give them information.
Conceptual Metaphor
INFORMATION IS A POSSESSED OBJECT (you 'give' or 'tell' information); KNOWING IS SEEING ('I can tell you're upset').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'tell' correctly?