tell nothing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'tell nothing' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone should not reveal something, for example: "Keep this secret; don't tell anything to anyone".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

He could tell nothing from it.

The New Yorker

"As far as we can tell, nothing has been fixed.

The New Yorker

"As far as I can tell, nothing has changed".

The New York Times

"But I could tell nothing else would inspire Jake in the same way".

The New York Times

As far as I could tell, nothing had been cleared or patched or fixed.

The New Yorker

As best I could tell, nothing on the dessert list is fried.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

The patient was told nothing.

The New York Times

We're told nothing of Ali's background.

The New York Times

He has been told nothing directly by team officials.

The New York Times - Sports

But this time, I've been told nothing.

The New York Times

We had been told nothing about this at all.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "tell nothing" to create suspense or mystery in narratives. It can effectively convey a character's reluctance or inability to share crucial information.

Common error

Avoid using "tell nothing" when a more specific phrase is needed. Ensure that the lack of information is the key point, not a secondary aspect of the communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tell nothing" functions primarily as a declarative statement indicating a lack of communication or divulgence of information. Ludwig's examples confirm this usage across various contexts, showing that it is used to express a refusal or inability to share information.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tell nothing" is a grammatically correct and acceptable expression used to indicate a lack of information being conveyed. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides various examples across different contexts. While not exceedingly common, it's suitable for both formal and informal settings. Alternatives include "reveal nothing", "disclose nothing", and "say nothing". The phrase is most frequently found in news media and scientific publications, serving to highlight secrecy, unwillingness to disclose, or a lack of knowledge. When using "tell nothing", ensure the context emphasizes the absence of information, creating suspense or indicating a deliberate withholding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reveal nothing

Focuses on the absence of revelation rather than the act of telling.

disclose nothing

Emphasizes the lack of disclosure or making something known.

divulge nothing

Highlights the absence of divulging confidential or secret information.

impart nothing

Stresses the failure to pass on knowledge or information.

say nothing

Directly indicates a lack of verbal communication or response.

keep silent

Focuses on the act of remaining quiet.

withhold information

Emphasizes the act of deliberately keeping information secret.

offer no comment

A formal way of declining to provide information.

share no details

Highlights the absence of specific information being provided.

remain tight-lipped

Suggests a determined refusal to speak or reveal information.

FAQs

How can I use "tell nothing" in a sentence?

You can use "tell nothing" to indicate a refusal to divulge information. For example: "Despite repeated questioning, he would "reveal nothing"" or "The witness chose to "say nothing" during the investigation".

What phrases are similar to "tell nothing"?

Similar phrases include "disclose nothing", "divulge nothing", or "keep silent". The best alternative depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "tell nothing" or "say nothing"?

Both "tell nothing" and "say nothing" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Tell nothing" often implies a deliberate withholding of information, while "say nothing" is a more general statement of silence.

When should I avoid using the phrase "tell nothing"?

Avoid using "tell nothing" if a more precise or detailed description of the information being withheld is necessary. For example, instead of "She could "learn nothing"", specify what information she couldn't obtain.