tell over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tell over" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to repeat or recount something that has already been said before. It is often used when retelling a story or relaying information to someone who may have missed it the first time. Example: She was so excited about her vacation that she had to tell over every detail to her friends when she returned.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

If Morrisons can more or less match Aldi and Lidl on prices on key items, the strength of the brand ought to tell over time.

The Guardian - Business

She would tell over and over again how she had been betrayed at the age of seventeen, she asked her cabin mate how she liked sharing her cabin with a murderess, etc.

The New Yorker

Facebook initially declined to pull the controversial pages, citing users' freedom to voice their opinions and likening the pages to jokes friends might tell over a few beers.

Huffington Post

One story I tell over and over is of a mid-level HMO manager telling me that after a bad revenue quarter, they added 30-45 seconds to the on-hold wait on the telephone for people calling about denials.

Huffington Post

Through the stories they tell over time.

The New York Times

Only time will tell over the next few months at Burke.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

As we've been told over and over, those indulgences add up.

The New York Times

"The classic ones get told over and over again in updated dress," Dundes noted.

The New Yorker

The narrative of European colonialism is told over and over again in an inaccurate and "whitewashed" manner.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

She insisted on hearing his tales told over and over, "just so".

The New York Times - Arts

"We get told over and over again that there's no money".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tell over", ensure the context clearly indicates repetition or recounting. For instance, "She would "tell over" and over again how she had been betrayed."

Common error

Avoid using "tell over" when introducing a story for the first time. This phrase is best suited for instances where the narrative has already been established.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tell over" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the act of repeating or recounting information. As Ludwig AI suggests, it typically involves narrating a story or relaying information that has been previously shared.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tell over" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that signifies the act of repeating or recounting information. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as academic contexts, it serves the purpose of reiterating stories or details for emphasis or clarification. When employing this phrase, ensure the context appropriately implies repetition rather than initial narration. Consider using synonyms such as "recount" or "retell" for variety. As demonstrated in Ludwig's examples, "tell over" is a valuable addition to your vocabulary for expressing the act of revisiting and sharing information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

retell

Implies telling a story or event again, often with minor variations or embellishments.

recount

Focuses on giving an account of something again, highlighting the act of narration more directly than "tell over".

go over again

Directly indicates repeating something, suitable for instructional or explanatory contexts.

reiterate

Emphasizes repeating a statement or idea for clarity or emphasis, more formal than "tell over".

go through again

Suggests reviewing or examining something thoroughly a second time, suitable for detailed analysis.

repeat

A basic term for saying or doing something again, lacking the nuance of narration present in "tell over".

restate

Focuses on expressing something again in a different way, emphasizing clarity and precision.

rehash

Suggests going over old material again, potentially with a negative connotation of being unoriginal.

recap

Implies summarizing or reviewing key points, often used in business or educational settings.

say again

A straightforward request to repeat something, lacking the narrative context of "tell over".

FAQs

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

Use "tell over" to indicate the repetition of a story or information. For example, "He would "tell over" the same joke at every party."

What does "tell over" mean?

"Tell over" typically means to repeat or recount something that has been said or told before.

Are there synonyms for "tell over"?

Yes, you can use synonyms such as "recount", "retell", or "reiterate" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "told over"?

Yes, "told over" is the past tense form of "tell over" and is grammatically correct. For example, "The story was "told over" many times."