"tell" vs "telling"

Question

"tell" vs "telling"

Both 'tell' and 'telling' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Tell' is a verb that is used to give information or instructions to someone, while 'telling' can be a verb form (present participle) or an adjective. 'Telling' as a verb form is used to indicate an ongoing action, while 'telling' as an adjective is used to describe something that reveals or indicates something important.

Last Updated: March 25, 2024

Use 'tell' when you want to inform or instruct someone about something. It is followed by a direct object or a person to whom the information is being given.

Examples:

Can you tell me the time?
She told him to be careful.

Alternatives:

inform
instruct
say
communicate
advise

Use 'telling' as a verb form when you want to indicate an ongoing action. Use it as an adjective to describe something that reveals or indicates something important.

Examples:

She is telling a story.
His expression was very telling.

Alternatives:

revealing
indicating
describing
expressive
significant

Answer 1

tell

The word 'tell' is a verb that is used to give information or instructions to someone.

Answer 2

telling

The word 'telling' can be a verb form (present participle) or an adjective. As a verb form, it indicates an ongoing action, and as an adjective, it describes something that reveals or indicates something important.

"tell" vs "telling"

tell

telling

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