I told you not to vs I tell you not to

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'I told you not to' is used when referring to a past action or instruction, while 'I tell you not to' is used when giving a present instruction or advice.

Last updated: March 31, 2024 • 1659 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to a past action or instruction.

"I told you not to"

This phrase is used to indicate that a warning or instruction was given in the past.

Examples:

I told you not to touch the stove.
I told you not to go there.
I told you not to eat that.
I told you not to call him.
I told you not to be late.

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I told you not to be so aggressive.
I told you not to drive so fast.
I told you not to go near my father.
I told you not to point it directly at the camera.
I told you not to leave this room.
I told you not to call anyone and you deliberately disobeyed me.
I told you not to be so vulgar.
I told you not to ride that bike.
Demetrius, I told you not to call.
Which I told you not to borrow.
I told you not to use this number.
I told you not to take the pickup.
I told you not to contact her.
Frankie, I told you not to go crazy with this thing.
I told you not to question her.
I told you not to eat the gingerbread.
I told you not to preach that message in my church.
I told you not to tell Robert anything.
I told you not to use that lawyer.
I told you not to pet those monkeys.

Alternatives:

I warned you not to
I instructed you not to

This phrase is correct and commonly used when giving a present instruction or advice.

"I tell you not to"

This phrase is used to give a current instruction or advice to someone.

Examples:

I tell you not to eat too much.
I tell you not to worry.
I tell you not to be late.
I tell you not to touch that.
I tell you not to call him.

Show examples from the web [+]

When I tell you not to say anything, I really mean it.
I want you to run until I tell you not to run anymore.
Are you not going to ask me if I tell you not to ask?
Here I tell you not to say anything...
I tell you not to do it, and now look at this.
I tell you not to eat those French fries and greasy foods.
This is why I tell you not to have people over.
Now you know why I tell you not to gobble your chips down.
Didn't I tell you not to assume anything?
I tell you not to film something, don't film it.
Didn't I tell you not to start messing with this truck?
Didn't I tell you not to forget?
I tell you not to go to the bar in the sun.
Didn't I tell you not to wander off?
Didn't I tell you not to get lazy?
Didn't I tell you not to smoke next to our building?
Didn't I tell you not to operate alone.
Didn't I tell you not to squeeze the toothpaste from the middle?
Didn't I tell you not to play with my paints?
Didn't I tell you not to bet that horse?

Alternatives:

I am telling you not to
I am advising you not to

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I told you not to vs I tell you not to

"I told you not to"

"I tell you not to"

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