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i am going to tell a story vs i am going to tell you a story

Both phrases are fine/correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "I am going to tell a story" is a general statement indicating the speaker will tell a story without specifying the listener. On the other hand, "I am going to tell you a story" is more specific, indicating the speaker will tell the listener a story.
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Explained by Miss E.
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: October 04, 2024 • 14210 views

i am going to tell a story

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate the speaker's intention to tell a story.

This phrase is a general statement indicating the speaker's intention to tell a story without specifying the listener.

Examples:

  • I am going to tell a story about my childhood.
  • She said, 'I am going to tell a story.'
  • Since I think we are all a bit bored, I am going to tell you a story about one of the dictatorships we had in Spain, that of General Primo de Rivera.
  • I am going tell a story.
  • Sister, I am going to tell you something.
  • I am going to tell you something very serious.
  • I am going to tell your husband everything about you and me.
  • I am going to tell you something... about convicts.
  • Otherwise, I am going to tell the teacher.
  • I am going to tell you something very simple.
  • Then I am going to tell you something else, right now.
  • I am going to tell Ducky once I successfully win a replacement set.
  • In fact, I am going to tell her a lot more than that.
  • I am going to tell Sam that you sat on his Isaac Hayes record and broke it, and Monty had nothing to do with it.
  • Conquistador, I am going to tell you the true reason why the inquisitor pits cross against crown.
  • He is my oldest friend. I am going to tell him.
  • Okay, I am going to tell Michael and this entire office will be punished.
  • I am going to tell my grandpa that you make fun of him.
  • I am going to tell them what a big thrill this is.
  • I am going to tell your mother.
  • When she's back, I am going to tell her...
  • I am going to tell you as carefully as possible how the Rules of Procedure work.

Alternatives:

  • I will tell a story.
  • I plan to tell a story.
  • I intend to tell a story.

i am going to tell you a story

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate the speaker's intention to tell a story to a specific listener.

This phrase is more specific than the first one, indicating that the speaker will tell a story to the listener.

Examples:

  • I am going to tell you a story about my trip to Paris.
  • She said, 'I am going to tell you a story.'
  • Since I think we are all a bit bored, I am going to tell you a story about one of the dictatorships we had in Spain, that of General Primo de Rivera.
  • I am going tell a story.
  • OK, I'm going to tell you a story of the Doctor.
  • Today, I'm going to tell you a story.
  • You blind animals who forgot your origin, we're going to tell you a story.
  • (Woman) I'm going to tell you a story that doesn't have a happy ending.
  • I'm going to tell a story that I never wanted to tell, and no one wanted to hear anyway.
  • That is why I am going to tell you something that you might not like to hear: I think it would be best if you let the story of Trianon remain in the past.
  • No, you're going to tell a story.
  • Now I have to tell you, I was talking to Kyle last week about this, that I was going to tell this story.
  • If Mr. Boldwood did really speak of marriage, I'm not going to tell stories just to please you.
  • I'm not going to tell you stories about teamwork or cooperation.
  • Now I'm not here to tell you what kind of legislation you should or shouldn't support, but I am going to tell you that, if it matters to you, your legislators need to know that.
  • I'm going to tell you three stories on the way to one argument that's going to tell you a little bit about how we open user-generated content up for business.
  • But it's all going to be OK, because I am going to tell you everything, and you're going to understand why I had to keep it from you, and we're going to be fine.
  • You are not going to believe what happened to me today, and I am going to tell you over dinner.
  • You're not going to tell me a story now which the whole garrisson knows already?
  • I am going to tell you something... about convicts.
  • Sister, I am going to tell you something.
  • I am going to tell you something very serious.

Alternatives:

  • I will tell you a story.
  • I plan to tell you a story.
  • I intend to tell you a story.

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