tell from

USAGE SUMMARY

'tell from' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to express the idea of being able to distinguish something or someone from something or someone else. Example: It is often difficult to tell one twin from the other.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

> tell from the cataloging.

Columbia University

"I could tell from her voice.

Independent

I can tell from the traffic.

The New York Times

"We can tell from the title.

The New Yorker

It's impossible to tell from here.

The New York Times

It's hard to tell from an interview.

The New York Times

You can tell from the top.

Yale University

What can we tell from permineralization ?

University of California, Berkeley

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tell from", ensure that the context provides sufficient information about what is being distinguished and the criteria used for differentiation.

Common error

Avoid using "tell from" interchangeably with phrases like "hear from" or "learn from". "Tell from" specifically refers to distinguishing or discerning something, while the others have different meanings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tell from" functions as a verb phrase used to express the ability to distinguish or discern something based on specific evidence or characteristics. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable expression. Examples show its use in diverse contexts, such as "You can tell from the top" or "I can tell from their faces".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

35%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tell from" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to express the ability to distinguish or discern something based on specific indicators. According to Ludwig AI, it is acceptable in written English. While versatile, it's most frequently found in news and media, as well as academic contexts. When writing, ensure you use it to clearly describe how you can differentiate something based on observable traits. While generally acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "discern from" in highly formal writing. Common usage involves expressing observation based on someone's face or tone like "I can tell from her expression".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distinguish from

Emphasizes the act of recognizing differences between two or more things.

discern from

Implies a more careful or insightful observation to identify differences.

deduce from

Focuses on drawing a conclusion based on evidence or reasoning.

infer from

Highlights the process of reaching a conclusion based on indirect evidence.

ascertain from

Suggests a formal or systematic investigation to find something out.

determine from

Focuses on making a definitive decision or conclusion based on information.

gather from

Implies collecting information from various sources to form an understanding.

understand from

Emphasizes comprehension or gaining knowledge from something.

conclude from

Highlights the final step of drawing a conclusion after considering evidence.

recognize from

Focuses on identifying something based on prior knowledge or familiarity.

FAQs

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

You can use "tell from" to describe how you distinguish one thing from another based on certain characteristics. For example, "I can "tell from her expression" that she's not happy".

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

"Tell from" and "distinguish from" are quite similar. "Tell from" is more informal, while "distinguish from" is more formal and often used in academic or technical contexts.

Can "tell from" be used in formal writing?

While "tell from" is generally acceptable, in very formal writing, consider using a more sophisticated alternative like "discern from" or "ascertain from" to maintain a higher level of formality.

What can I "tell from" this grammar guide?

You can "deduce from" this guide that "tell from" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express the ability to differentiate or discern something based on certain indicators.