{"id":5712,"date":"2024-11-26T01:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-26T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/?p=5712"},"modified":"2024-11-13T02:22:04","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T02:22:04","slug":"explaining-phrasal-verbs-with-tell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/vocab-expressions\/explaining-phrasal-verbs-with-tell\/","title":{"rendered":"Explaining Phrasal Verbs with \"Tell\" (with Discussion Questions)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/vocab-expressions\/explaining-phrasal-verbs-with-tell\/#Phrasal_verbs_with_%E2%80%9Ctell%E2%80%9D\" >Phrasal verbs with &#8220;tell&#8221;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/vocab-expressions\/explaining-phrasal-verbs-with-tell\/#Tell_the_difference\" >Tell the difference<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/vocab-expressions\/explaining-phrasal-verbs-with-tell\/#Tell_a_lie\" >Tell a lie<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/vocab-expressions\/explaining-phrasal-verbs-with-tell\/#Tell_the_truth\" >Tell the truth<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/vocab-expressions\/explaining-phrasal-verbs-with-tell\/#Tell_a_joke\" >Tell a joke<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/vocab-expressions\/explaining-phrasal-verbs-with-tell\/#Tell_a_story\" >Tell a story<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/vocab-expressions\/explaining-phrasal-verbs-with-tell\/#Tell_time\" >Tell time<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/vocab-expressions\/explaining-phrasal-verbs-with-tell\/#Tell_on_someone\" >Tell on (someone)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/vocab-expressions\/explaining-phrasal-verbs-with-tell\/#Tell_off\" >Tell off<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/vocab-expressions\/explaining-phrasal-verbs-with-tell\/#Other_expressions\" >Other expressions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/vocab-expressions\/explaining-phrasal-verbs-with-tell\/#Youre_telling_me\" >You&#8217;re telling me!<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/vocab-expressions\/explaining-phrasal-verbs-with-tell\/#Truth_be_told\" >Truth be told<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/vocab-expressions\/explaining-phrasal-verbs-with-tell\/#As_far_as_I_can_tell\" >As far as I can tell<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/vocab-expressions\/explaining-phrasal-verbs-with-tell\/#There_is_No_telling\" >(There is) No telling<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/vocab-expressions\/explaining-phrasal-verbs-with-tell\/#Discussion_questions\" >Discussion questions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/vocab-expressions\/explaining-phrasal-verbs-with-tell\/#Wrap-up\" >Wrap-up<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>As we've mentioned in <a href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/vocab-expressions\/explaining-phrasal-verbs-with-look\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">previous articles<\/a>, phrasal verbs are combinations of verbs and other short words that form new meanings when put together. They are both simple and very common in all forms of English communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We'll continue our look at them, focusing this time on \"tell.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As always, consider the examples included here as starting points you can use to initiate more conversation and opportunities for practice with your students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Phrasal_verbs_with_%E2%80%9Ctell%E2%80%9D\"><\/span><strong>Phrasal verbs with &#8220;tell&#8221;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tell_the_difference\"><\/span><strong>Tell the difference<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Being able to \"tell the difference\" between things means understanding what makes them different. Be sure to mention that it is often shortened to simply \"tell\" when used with the modal verb \"can.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Simple explanation: to notice a difference<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sam said he lost weight, but no one can <strong>tell<\/strong> (the difference).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I could <strong>tell<\/strong> right away that Aya's English was much better than it was last year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tell_a_lie\"><\/span><strong>Tell a lie<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/11\/13022102\/image-1.jpeg\" alt=\"A young man being tested to see if he is telling the truth while sitting in a dark room\" class=\"wp-image-6476\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/11\/13022102\/image-1.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/11\/13022102\/image-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/11\/13022102\/image-1-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/11\/13022102\/image-1-420x280.jpeg 420w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/11\/13022102\/image-1-840x560.jpeg 840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Telling a lie is saying something that is not true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>His mother punished him for <strong>telling a lie<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tell_the_truth\"><\/span><strong>Tell the truth<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This, of course, is the opposite of the previous phrasal verb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It's a good idea to mention that \"the\" always comes before \"truth.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Everyone believed that he was <strong>telling the truth<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tell_a_joke\"><\/span><strong>Tell a joke<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Students probably know that telling a joke is saying something funny, usually in the form of a <a href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/teaching-conversation\/turn-students-into-master-storytellers-with-these-key-phrases\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">short story<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sarah <strong>told a joke<\/strong> at the party that made everyone cry with laughter.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tell_a_story\"><\/span><strong>Tell a story<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Telling a story is creating a story from your imagination, usually without preparation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>My children asked me to <strong>tell them a story<\/strong> before they went to bed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tell_time\"><\/span><strong>Tell time<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>\"Telling time\" is reading the hands on an analog clock in order to understand what time it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Simple explanation: to \"read\" the time<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>My young son recently learned how to <strong>tell time<\/strong>. Now he doesn't need to rely on digital clocks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tell_on_someone\"><\/span><strong>Tell on (someone)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/11\/13022111\/image.jpeg\" alt=\"A young boy telling on a classmate who is teasing him in the distance\" class=\"wp-image-6475\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/11\/13022111\/image.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/11\/13022111\/image-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/11\/13022111\/image-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/11\/13022111\/image-420x280.jpeg 420w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/11\/13022111\/image-840x560.jpeg 840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\"Telling on\" someone means revealing to others that they have done something bad or against the rules. This phrasal verb is mostly used by children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Simple explanation: to blame, to expose<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Everyone in class knew that Johnny threw the paper airplane, but no one <strong>told on him<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes this usage is shortened to only \"tell.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>How did the teacher know it was me who threw the airplane? Who <strong>told<\/strong>?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tell_off\"><\/span><strong>Tell off<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/11\/13022112\/image-2.jpeg\" alt=\"An angry boss telling off his employee, who sits with his hands raised over his head \" class=\"wp-image-6477\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/11\/13022112\/image-2.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/11\/13022112\/image-2-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/11\/13022112\/image-2-768x513.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/11\/13022112\/image-2-420x280.jpeg 420w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/11\/13022112\/image-2-840x560.jpeg 840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\"Telling someone off\" means scolding or yelling at them, usually because they have done something wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The boss <strong>told me off<\/strong> for missing my sales targets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Other_expressions\"><\/span><strong>Other expressions<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Youre_telling_me\"><\/span><strong>You&#8217;re telling me!<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is used to express strong agreement.\u00a0As it is quite casual, students should know that it should only be used with people they have a close, friendly relationship with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meaning: \"I agree!\"<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-chat-bubble pos-left\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-user\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/02\/22141918\/avatar_39.png\" class=\"unified-chat-bubble-avatar\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-name\">A<\/div><\/div><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-content\"><div class=\"block-align-none\">Wow, that was a good <a href=\"https:\/\/tutor.engoo.com\/blog\/teaching-conversation\/free-talk-idea-movie-vocabulary-with-quiz-discussion-questions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">movie<\/a>.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-chat-bubble pos-right\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-user\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/02\/22141702\/avatar_22.png\" class=\"unified-chat-bubble-avatar\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-name\">B<\/div><\/div><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-content\"><div class=\"block-align-none\"><strong>You're telling me!<\/strong> I think it's the best movie of the year.<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Truth_be_told\"><\/span><strong>Truth be told<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is another way to say \"Honestly.\" It's often used to introduce information that the listener may think is surprising or unexpected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meaning: \"Actually\/Honestly~\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Truth be told<\/strong>, even after years of performing, I still get nervous before every show.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>We also say \"To tell (you) the truth,\" which has the same meaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>To tell you the truth<\/strong>, I don't actually like the food there.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"As_far_as_I_can_tell\"><\/span><strong>As far as I can tell<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This can be used before or after a statement the speaker believes is correct even though there's a chance it's not.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meaning: \"It seems ~\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>As far as I can tell<\/strong>, the whole building is empty.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>She doesn't have a boyfriend, <strong>as far as I can tell<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"There_is_No_telling\"><\/span><strong>(There is) No telling<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This expression is for talking about a possibility that cannot be predicted or known. It's used together with the question words \"who,\" \"what,\" \"where\" and \"how.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meaning: \"I don't know ~\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>There's no telling<\/strong> how many people will come, so we should prepare for a large number, just in case.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>There's no telling <\/strong>what will happen, so be ready for anything.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In casual conversations, it can be used as a response to a question. In this case, it is shortened to simply \"No telling.\"<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-chat-bubble pos-left\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-user\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/02\/22141906\/avatar_37.png\" class=\"unified-chat-bubble-avatar\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-name\">A<\/div><\/div><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-content\"><div class=\"block-align-none\">What are they talking about in there?<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"unified-block unified-chat-bubble pos-right\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-user\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/02\/22141556\/avatar_3.png\" class=\"unified-chat-bubble-avatar\" width=\"50\" height=\"50\"><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-name\">B<\/div><\/div><div class=\"unified-chat-bubble-content\"><div class=\"block-align-none\"><strong>No telling.<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Discussion_questions\"><\/span><strong>Discussion questions<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Can you tell the difference between American and British English?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have you ever gotten in trouble for telling a lie?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Did you ever have to tell someone off?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Are you good at telling jokes? (If so, ask them to tell you one!)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Can you tell me a short story?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wrap-up\"><\/span><strong>Wrap-up<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>From jokes and lies to stories and differences, \"tell\" is useful in a variety of situations. In particular, the points introduced in the \"Other expressions\" section can really help learners sound more natural and fluent in their conversations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Make sure your students are maximizing their vocabulary by taking advantage of all of the ways even simple verbs can be used in daily communication.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As we've mentioned in previous articles, phrasal verbs are combinations of verbs and other short words that form new meanings when put together. They are both simple and very common in all forms of English...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":432,"featured_media":5714,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"unified_meta_tagline_field":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[69],"tags":[74,83],"class_list":["post-5712","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-vocab-expressions","tag-idioms","tag-phrasal-verbs"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Explaining Phrasal Verbs with &quot;Tell&quot; (with Discussion Questions) | Engoo Tutor&#039;s Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Phrasal verbs with &quot;tell&quot; allow students to talk about jokes, lies, differences and many other things. 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