Talk and tell in everyday conversations

The idea

Use talk for a conversation: talk to someone about a topic. Use tell to give someone information or a story: tell someone something.

Examples

• I talk to my sister about our garden.
• We talked for an hour after class.
• The neighbors are talking about the weather.
• Please tell me your name.
• Our guide told us where to wait.
• Mina told the children a funny story.

Watch out

Do not say tell to me for giving information; say tell me.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the correct word. Can we ___ about the trip? (talk / tell)

   Show answer or example answer

   talk

   talk: The trip is the subject of a conversation.

2. Choose the correct word. Please ___ me the time. (talk / tell)

   Show answer or example answer

   tell

   tell: The listener receives the time.

3. Choose the correct word. They want to ___ to their teacher. (talk / tell)

   Show answer or example answer

   talk

   talk: The teacher is a conversation partner, introduced by to.

4. Choose the correct word. I will ___ you a story tonight. (talk / tell)

   Show answer or example answer

   tell

   tell: The listener receives a story.

Use it today

Choose the verb that fits each sentence.