tell the time

USAGE SUMMARY

'tell the time' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want someone to tell you the current time, for example: "My watch has stopped - can you please tell the time?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Poets tell the time.

The Guardian - Books

You can tell the time.

University of California, Berkeley

"No one buys a watch to tell the time".

The New York Times

(They use mobile phones and laptops to tell the time).

The New York Times

"We've got some watches that don't even tell the time.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Electronic devices (phones, ipads, calculators) are not allowed on exams, not even to tell the time.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

But please don't tell the Times.

The New Yorker

(It also tells the time).

The New York Times

It even tells the time.

The Economist

It tells the time; it works.

The New York Times

Sadly, none of them tells the time.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In modern contexts, feel free to use it regardless of the device—whether it is a mechanical watch, a smartphone, or a smartwatch.

Common error

In many other languages, the verb 'to say' is used in this context. In English, always use 'tell' when referring to the ability or the act of reading a clock. Saying 'he can say the time' sounds non-native and incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tell the time" functions as a verb phrase where 'tell' acts as the transitive verb and 'the time' is the direct object. According to Ludwig AI, it is primarily used to denote the action of reading a timepiece or the cognitive ability to interpret a clock face.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki & General Knowledge

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Social Media

3%

Professional Correspondence

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tell the time" is a foundational idiom in English. Based on the data from Ludwig, it appears extensively across high-quality publications, particularly in discussions about how we interact with technology versus traditional horology. Ludwig AI confirms its status as the standard way to describe the act of interpreting a clock. Whether you are discussing a child's education or the functionality of a luxury watch, this phrase is the most natural and grammatically correct choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tell what time it is

A slightly more wordy version often used in spoken or informal English

read the clock

Focuses more specifically on the cognitive skill of interpreting the hands or digits on a timepiece

check the time

Implies a momentary action of looking at a device to see what time it is

know the time

Refers to the state of having the information rather than the act of interpreting a device

give the time

Used when one person is providing the current time to another person upon request

state the time

Formal usage often found in official reporting or broadcasts

ascertain the time

A formal alternative used when one needs to determine the time with precision or effort

identify the time

Focuses on the recognition of the time among other data points

keep track of time

Suggests a continuous monitoring of the passage of time over a period

report the hour

Specifically refers to announcing the time, often in a journalistic or military context

FAQs

How to use "tell the time" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an ability or a request, such as "The child is finally learning to "tell the time"" or "Can you "tell the time" from where you are sitting?".

What can I say instead of "tell the time"?

Depending on your specific meaning, you might use alternatives like "read the clock", "check the time", or "know the time".

Which is correct, "tell time" or "tell the time"?

Both are correct. "Tell time" is more common in American English, while "tell the time" is the standard preference in British English, though both are understood globally.

What's the difference between "tell the time" and "tell the duration"?

The phrase "tell the time" specifically refers to knowing the current point in the day (e.g., 2:00 PM), whereas "tell the duration" would refer to knowing how much time has passed between two events.