do tell

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression "do tell" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when expressing surprise or curiosity. For example, "You mean you won the lottery? Do tell!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Do tell.

The New York Times

YOU: Do tell!

The New Yorker

Oh? Do tell.

The Guardian

No, but do tell.

The Guardian - Money

Do tell, Jimmy.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

What do I always do? Tell me.

The New Yorker

And I know why! Do tell.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

He did tell one story.

The New York Times

"I did tell him that".

The New York Times

Ms. Tsarnaeva: I did tell them.

The New York Times

But he did tell me some things.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "do tell" when you want to express genuine interest or mild surprise and encourage someone to provide more details. Be mindful of your audience, as it can come across as slightly old-fashioned or sarcastic in some contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "do tell" excessively, as it can become repetitive or sound insincere. Vary your expressions of interest by using alternatives like "tell me more" or "please elaborate" to maintain a natural and engaging conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do tell" primarily functions as an imperative interjection. It is used to express interest or mild surprise, prompting the speaker to elaborate further. Ludwig shows several examples of its use in conversational contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the expression "do tell" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that serves as an imperative interjection. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's primarily employed to express interest, surprise, or curiosity, encouraging the speaker to provide more details. It is most frequently seen in News & Media, and Wiki sources, suggesting a neutral to informal register. While versatile, it's important to be mindful of overuse and potential sarcastic interpretations. Consider alternative expressions like "tell me more" or "please elaborate" to ensure your communication remains engaging and authentic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Tell me more

A direct and common way to encourage further explanation.

Please elaborate

More formal way of asking someone to provide more details.

Give me the details

Directly requests specific information.

Go on

A simple way to encourage someone to continue their story or explanation.

I'm intrigued

Expresses curiosity and invites further explanation.

I'm all ears

Indicates that you are ready and willing to listen attentively.

Enlighten me

A slightly more formal way of asking for information or clarification.

What happened next?

Specifically prompts for the continuation of a narrative.

What's the story?

An informal way to ask for an explanation or account of events.

Spill the beans

An informal and playful way to ask someone to reveal information.

FAQs

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

"Do tell" is typically used as a short, interjectory phrase. For example, if someone says they have exciting news, you might respond with, "Oh, really? "Do tell"!" to encourage them to elaborate.

What does "do tell" actually mean?

The phrase "do tell" is an expression indicating interest or surprise, inviting someone to share more details about something they've mentioned. It's a polite way of saying, "Please, "tell me more"."

Is "do tell" formal or informal?

"Do tell" leans towards being slightly informal, but it can be used in neutral settings as well. It's more conversational than a strictly formal expression like ""please elaborate"" but not as casual as slang.

Can "do tell" be used sarcastically?

Yes, "do tell" can be used sarcastically, depending on the tone of voice. If someone says something obvious or predictable, responding with "do tell" in a dismissive tone can imply that you find their statement unoriginal or uninteresting.