tell apart

USAGE SUMMARY

"tell apart" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean that you can distinguish one thing from another, or that something is distinct from others. For example: "The teacher could easily tell apart the twins because they had different haircuts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Now they're hard to tell apart.

The New York Times

They're sometimes hard to tell apart.

The Guardian - Books

The two groups are relatively easy to tell apart.

University of California, Berkeley

You can't tell apart good and bad, kind and evil".

Independent

Still, in some places they were hard to tell apart.

The New Yorker

When seen separately, the Barbers are hard to tell apart.

The New York Times - Sports

Here doom and optimism are impossible to tell apart.

The New York Times - Books

Together, books tell a story they can't tell apart.

The Guardian

Figure 2: A. Mass spectrometry can tell apart heavy and normal water.

Harvard University

Actually, that's the way to tell apart the two main groups of cubozoans (Chirodropidae and Carybdeidae).

University of California, Berkeley

Importantly though, our control motion selective region can't tell apart these stimuli.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tell apart" when you want to emphasize the ability to perceive differences between similar items or concepts. For example, "It's hard to "tell apart" good advice from bad advice."

Common error

Avoid using "tell apart" when discussing purely abstract or emotional concepts where differentiation is subjective. Instead of saying "It's hard to "tell apart" happiness and sadness", consider more appropriate phrases like "distinguish" or "differentiate between".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "tell apart" is a phrasal verb acting as a transitive verb, requiring an object. It describes the action of distinguishing or differentiating between two or more things. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

25%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tell apart" is a commonly used phrasal verb that means to distinguish or differentiate between two or more things. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. Its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to academic writing, though it tends to be more neutral in register. As exemplified by Ludwig, you can use it when you want to emphasize the ability to perceive differences between similar items or concepts. Remember to avoid using "tell apart" when discussing purely abstract or emotional concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distinguish between

This alternative directly replaces "tell apart" with a more formal synonym focusing on recognizing differences.

differentiate

This alternative uses a single verb to convey the action of recognizing differences.

discern

This is a more formal synonym for "tell apart", implying careful perception.

recognize the difference

This alternative explicitly states the act of identifying a difference.

identify

This is a more general term but can be used when the focus is on picking out something specific.

make a distinction

This alternative focuses on the act of creating a separation in thought or classification.

separate

This alternative implies physically or mentally dividing things.

contrast

This focuses on highlighting the differences between two things.

discriminate

This alternative implies a more discerning and sometimes critical eye when distinguishing.

ascertain the variance

This is a highly formal and technical way of expressing the identification of differences.

FAQs

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

You can use "tell apart" to describe the ability to distinguish between two or more things that are similar. For example, "It's difficult to "tell apart" the twins because they look so alike."

What is a more formal way to say "tell apart"?

Formal alternatives to "tell apart" include "distinguish between", "differentiate", or "discern". The choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "tell apart" and "distinguish"?

"Tell apart" is generally used in more informal contexts and implies recognizing a difference, while "distinguish" is more formal and can imply analyzing differences more deeply. For example, you might "tell apart" two similar-looking birds, but you would "distinguish" the different characteristics of bird species.

Is it correct to say "telling apart"?

Yes, "telling apart" is the gerund or present participle form of "tell apart" and can be used when a verb form is needed, such as in the sentence, "Telling apart the different types of apples requires a trained eye."