tell us if

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tell us if" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to inform you about a specific condition or situation. Example: "Please tell us if you will be attending the meeting next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You will tell us if we're right.

The New York Times

(Go ahead, tell us if we're guilty).

The New Yorker

The Supreme Court will tell us if the difference matters.

The New York Times

Tell us if you're still friends with Mark-Paul Gosselaar.

The New Yorker

Can someone tell us if this is true".

Independent

Please tell us if you'd like to join us.

Columbia University

I wish they would tell us if it's a drill.

The New Yorker

What do these designs tell us, if anything, about ourselves?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They'll tell us if it's time to go or stay.

The New York Times

"Aren't you going to tell us if you survived?" Ilona asked.

The New Yorker

How does that tell us if John Lewis's clobber is better value than House of Fraser's?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical writing, ensure clarity by specifying what information you need: "Tell us if the experiment yields unexpected results."

Common error

Avoid stacking multiple "tell us if" clauses within a single sentence. Break down complex requests for clarity: Instead of "Tell us if you have completed the task and if you need help", use "Tell us if you have completed the task. Also, let us know if you need any assistance."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tell us if" functions as an imperative construction used to solicit information or confirmation. As evidenced by Ludwig, it prompts the recipient to provide feedback or updates regarding a particular condition or situation. This construction is commonly used in requests and instructions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tell us if" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to solicit information or confirmation. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is prevalent across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and science. While generally neutral in tone, adding "please" enhances politeness in formal settings. When constructing sentences, avoid complex structures to maintain clarity. Consider alternatives like "let us know if" for informal communication or "inform us if" for more formal scenarios. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can effectively incorporate "tell us if" into your writing for clear and concise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Let us know if

More informal alternative, suitable for casual communication.

Inform us if

More formal and direct, appropriate for professional settings.

Advise us if

Implies seeking guidance or expert opinion.

Notify us if

Emphasizes the importance of timely updates.

Keep us informed if

Focuses on continuous updates about a situation.

Update us if

Similar to 'keep us informed', but may imply a single instance.

Please tell us whether

More polite and formal, suitable for requests.

Can you tell us if

Presents the request as a question, offering more flexibility.

Report to us if

Used when there is a need for formal reporting.

Share with us if

Emphasizes the collaborative aspect of sharing information.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "tell us if"?

You can use alternatives like "let us know if", "inform us if", or "advise us if" depending on the context.

How to use "tell us if" in a sentence?

"Tell us if" is typically used to request information or confirmation about a specific condition or situation. For example, "Tell us if you need any help with the project".

Is it more appropriate to use "tell me if" or "tell us if"?

Use "tell me if" when addressing an individual and "tell us if" when addressing a group or an organization.

What's the difference between "tell us if" and "let us know if"?

While both phrases are similar, "let us know if" is generally considered more informal and conversational, whereas "tell us if" can be used in both formal and informal contexts.