can tell from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can tell from" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that one can deduce or infer information based on certain evidence or observations. Example: "I can tell from your expression that you are not pleased with the decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I can tell from the traffic.

The New York Times

"We can tell from the title.

The New Yorker

You can tell from the top.

Yale University

You can tell from her eyebrows.

The Guardian - Film

"I can tell from their faces.

The New York Times - Food

"You can tell from the moss".

The New York Times

I can tell from their comments.

The New York Times

You can tell from that it's a knee injury".

Independent

You can tell from their faces, if you've got eyes.

The New Yorker

You can tell from the way they write.

Independent

Not that you can tell from a quick glance.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can tell from", ensure that the evidence or source you're referencing is clear and easily understood by your audience.

Common error

Ensure the subject performing the 'telling' is clear. Avoid vague sentences like "It can be told from the data..." Instead, specify who is drawing the conclusion: "Analysts "can tell from" the data..."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can tell from" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the basis of an inference or deduction. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English. The examples show its role in specifying what evidence leads to a particular conclusion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

14%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can tell from" is a very common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to express deductions or inferences based on evidence. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It is suitable for general communication, particularly in news and media contexts, although more formal alternatives like "infer from" or "deduce from" might be preferred in academic or scientific writing. Ensuring clarity in the source of information is crucial to avoid vagueness when using this phrase. The examples provided by Ludwig highlight its diverse applications across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deduce from

Focuses on reaching a conclusion through reasoning.

infer from

Emphasizes drawing a conclusion from evidence or assumptions.

gather from

Suggests collecting information to form an understanding.

conclude from

Highlights the act of making a judgment based on available data.

ascertain from

Implies discovering something through investigation.

determine from

Stresses the act of finding something out definitively.

discern from

Focuses on perceiving or recognizing something subtle.

understand based on

Highlights the foundation for understanding

judge by

Emphasizes forming an opinion or assessment.

recognize based on

Highlights identifying something due to certain characteristics.

FAQs

How can I use "can tell from" in a sentence?

Use "can tell from" to indicate that you are inferring something based on evidence. For example, "You "can tell from" his expression that he's upset."

What can I say instead of "can tell from"?

You can use alternatives like "deduce from", "infer from", or "gather from" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to use "infer from" instead of "can tell from"?

"Infer from" is generally considered more formal than "can tell from". Use "infer from" in academic or professional writing, while "can tell from" is suitable for everyday conversation.

How do I avoid vagueness when using "can tell from"?

Ensure the source of information is clear. Instead of saying "It "can tell from" the results", specify who is drawing the conclusion: "Researchers "can tell from" the results that..."."