tell somebody vs tell to somebody

Both "tell somebody" and "tell to somebody" are commonly used phrases in English, but the correct and more natural construction is "tell somebody." The preposition "to" is not needed after the verb "tell."

Last updated: March 27, 2024 • 1637 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"tell somebody"

This phrase is used to indicate the action of informing or communicating something to someone.

Examples:

I need to tell somebody about the meeting.
Can you tell somebody to call me back?
She told somebody the news yesterday.
He always tells somebody the truth.
Don't forget to tell somebody the time of the event.

Show examples from the web [+]

I... No, we have to tell somebody.
I had to tell somebody, Jordan.
We have to tell somebody what happened.
Then I threaten to tell somebody about what's going on here.
If I'm not back in three hours, tell somebody.
Next time you start feeling like that tell somebody.
You should tell somebody, get it off your chest.
Listen, maybe we ought tell somebody about this.
You dyin' to tell somebody.
You dying' to tell somebody.
I think we should at least tell somebody...
I feel like I haveto tell somebody.
When something like this happens, you just have to tell somebody.
You know, sometimes it helps to tell somebody what you got locked up inside.
We have to tell somebody, Mossad, the army, I don't know.
I was suppose to tell somebody, but I didn't.
When she tried to tell somebody about it, he brought her here.
He said we were being experimented on, and he had to tell somebody.
Now, you got to go and tell somebody what you did.
Because I needed to tell somebody the truth, even if they didn't believe me.

Alternatives:

inform somebody
communicate with somebody
let somebody know
share with somebody
relay information to somebody

This phrase is not correct in English. The preposition "to" should not follow the verb "tell."

"tell to somebody"

Show examples from the web [+]

Tell your troubles to somebody else.
We've got to tell somebody.
So I could tell it to somebody, and help them to work it out.
Usually all they teach you is how to tell somebody else to go out and die.
I... No, we have to tell somebody.
Because I had to tell somebody.
I had to tell somebody, Jordan.
We have to tell somebody what happened.
You dyin' to tell somebody.
You dying' to tell somebody.
Then I threaten to tell somebody about what's going on here.
It might feel good to tell somebody.
I got to tell somebody about this.
When something like this happens, you just have to tell somebody.
We need to tell somebody official this is going on.
One of them is being able to tell when somebody is hiding something.
You had a colorful sweater and big hair, and you were on your way to tell somebody how to run their life.
- Tell him to find somebody else.
Tell Emily to find somebody else.
Anywhere you go, somebody's sure to tell somebody.

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tell somebody vs tell to somebody

"tell somebody"

"tell to somebody"

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