tell out

USAGE SUMMARY

"tell out" is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It means to proclaim or announce something loudly and clearly. It is often used in religious or poetic language. Example: "The pastor stood at the pulpit and told out the good news of Jesus' resurrection to the congregation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

While one hymn exhorts the believer "Tell out my soul", another warns "Let all mortal flesh keep silence"; Psalm 62, in the New King James Version, begins "truly my soul silently waits for God", while Psalm 109 starts "Do not keep silent, oh God of my praise".

The Guardian - Books

His Twitter account is essentially an information vacuum, and nothing useful can ever come of it, just as the majority of your own tweets will be jokes that aren't good enough to tell out loud and thoughts that aren't worth turning into fully-formed ideas.

Vice

No Internet traffic could make its way in or (as far as I could tell) out.

The New Yorker

Not all of the shows are homegrown: the drama "Tell Out My Soul" (which also closes Sunday) is by the British writer Jacquelyn Honess-Mantin, assistantant producer at the London theater company Cheek by Jowl.

The New York Times

That will have its own impact on the party – the timing of the next independence referendum has surely slipped – but it is also shattering for Labour, while giving the Tories their most positive story to tell out of all its UK results.

The Guardian - Opinion

She's a trusted friend and sweetheart plus, who's she gonna tell out there in Backswamp, North Carolina?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

So long as I didn't tell out-and-out fibs and believed in my recommendations, I considered that what I was doing was ethical.

The Economist

BOOK: Quoting Ellison: "Most senior software executives don't tell out-and-out lies about their products or their businesses.

Forbes

Dork Vader is now making a saint of himself, even as he continues to tell out-and-out lies.

Huffington Post

"In future years, we'll have to tell out-of-state veterans that unless they want to take out student loans, they won't be able to come here," predicts John G. Bechtol, an assistant dean who is responsible for the more than 600 student veterans attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Huffington Post

Our children remained fondest of stories told out loud.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tell out" in writing, consider the tone and register. It is often best suited for contexts where a sense of drama or importance is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "tell out" in casual conversation or informal writing, as its formal tone may sound unnatural or out of place. In such cases, opt for a simpler alternative like "say" or "mention."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tell out" functions as a phrasal verb, typically used to emphasize the act of proclaiming or announcing something, often with a sense of importance or solemnity. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a grammatically correct construction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tell out" is a phrasal verb that signifies proclaiming or announcing something, frequently with an emphasis on importance or solemnity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides examples that highlight its use in various contexts, particularly in news media and more formal settings. While not exceedingly common, it offers a distinct way to convey information with a sense of drama and emphasis. When using "tell out", writers should be mindful of the register, avoiding its use in casual contexts where it might sound out of place. Consider alternative phrases such as "proclaim loudly" or "announce publicly" to fine-tune the intended meaning and tone. Remember to check our FAQs in case you still have doubts regarding this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proclaim loudly

Focuses on the act of declaring something in a forceful, audible manner.

announce publicly

Emphasizes the act of making something known to a wide audience.

declare openly

Highlights the act of stating something without reservation or concealment.

divulge completely

Suggests a thorough revelation of information.

broadcast widely

Implies disseminating information to a broad audience through various channels.

make known

A more general term for communicating information.

narrate fully

Focuses on providing a complete account of a story or event.

recite aloud

Emphasizes the spoken delivery of a text or poem.

state clearly

Highlights the act of articulating something in an unambiguous manner.

report extensively

Implies a detailed and comprehensive account of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "tell out" to describe proclaiming something loudly, as in "The preacher told out the gospel to the crowd."

What can I say instead of "tell out"?

Alternatives to "tell out" include "announce publicly", "declare openly", or "proclaim loudly", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "tell out" formal or informal?

"Tell out" leans towards a more formal register. It's often found in contexts where emphasis and a degree of solemnity are appropriate, unlike more casual phrases like "say" or "speak up".

What's the difference between "tell out" and "tell"?

"Tell" is a general verb for communicating information. "Tell out" implies a more forceful, public, and sometimes dramatic declaration. For example, simply saying "tell the story" differs from "tell out the story", which indicates a more emphatic delivery.