tells me

USAGE SUMMARY

"tells me" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is a common phrase used to show that someone is giving information or instructions to the person they are speaking to. Example: "My boss always tells me what to do in meetings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Goat tells me so.

The New Yorker

Papa tells me everything.

The New Yorker

"No," he tells me.

The New Yorker

Nobody tells me no".

The New York Times - Books

"He tells me everything.

The New Yorker

"That tells me something".

The New York Times

No one tells me anything".

The New Yorker

He's "searching", he tells me.

Independent

Something tells me I will.

The New York Times - Arts

It tells me several things.

The New York Times

Witness tells me shots fired.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing dialogue, "tells me" can be an effective way to convey information succinctly without breaking the flow with lengthy descriptions.

Common error

While "tells me" is perfectly acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language with alternatives like "informs me", "advises me", or "reveals to me" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tells me" primarily functions as a reporting verb phrase. It's used to convey information or statements made by another person to the speaker, indicating a direct form of communication. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tells me" is a common and grammatically sound way to report direct communication. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, overuse in formal writing can be avoided by opting for synonyms like "informs me" or "reveals to me". Remember, the key is to maintain clarity and engagement in your writing while accurately conveying the source of your information. Considering that "tells me" is very common, it makes it a good choice to use it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

informs me

Focuses on the act of providing factual information.

advises me

Highlights the act of giving guidance or recommendations.

mentions to me

Emphasizes a casual or brief reference to something.

recounts to me

Suggests a detailed narration of events.

reveals to me

Implies the disclosure of something previously unknown or secret.

confides in me

Indicates a sharing of personal or sensitive information.

communicates to me

Broadly refers to the act of conveying a message.

notifies me

Focuses on the formal act of making someone aware of something.

clarifies for me

Highlights the act of making something easier to understand.

explains to me

Suggests a detailed account aimed at increasing understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "tells me" in a sentence?

"Tells me" is used to report direct communication or information shared with you. For example, "My friend "tells me" about her day", or "The doctor "tells me" to exercise more".

What are some alternatives to "tells me"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "informs me", "advises me", "mentions to me", or "reveals to me".

Is it grammatically correct to use "tells me"?

Yes, "tells me" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English to indicate that someone is communicating information to the speaker.

What's the difference between "tells me" and "told me"?

"Tells me" is in the present tense, indicating an ongoing or habitual action, while "told me" is in the past tense, indicating a completed action. For example, "He "tells me" this every day" versus "He "told me" yesterday".