Mastering the Past Tense of “Tell”: A Comprehensive Guide
Understanding the past tense of irregular verbs like “tell” is crucial for effective communication in English. The past tense form, “told,” is used countless times in everyday conversations, writing, and formal settings. Mastering its usage not only improves your grammatical accuracy but also enhances your ability to convey events and narratives clearly. This guide is designed for English language learners of all levels, from beginners seeking a solid foundation to advanced speakers aiming to refine their understanding of the nuances of verb tenses. By the end of this article, you will have a comprehensive understanding of the past tense of “tell,” its variations, and how to use it correctly in various contexts.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of “Tell” and its Past Tense
- Structural Breakdown: How “Told” Fits into Sentences
- Types of “Telling” and Contexts
- Examples of “Told” in Different Contexts
- Usage Rules for “Told”
- Common Mistakes with “Told”
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics: Nuances and Complex Sentences
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Conclusion
Definition of “Tell” and its Past Tense
The verb “tell” means to communicate information, facts, or stories to someone in spoken or written form. It’s a versatile verb used in many everyday situations. “Tell” is an irregular verb, which means its past tense and past participle forms do not follow the standard “-ed” ending rule. Instead, the past tense of “tell” is “told.”
Classification: “Tell” is a transitive verb, meaning it typically takes a direct object (the person or thing being told). It can also take an indirect object (the recipient of the information).
Function: The primary function of “tell” and “told” is to convey information. It can be used to:
- Share news or facts
- Recount events or stories
- Give instructions or directions
- Express opinions or beliefs
Contexts: The past tense “told” is used to describe actions of telling that happened at a specific time in the past. For example:
“She told me about her trip to Italy.”
This sentence indicates that the act of telling occurred in the past and is now completed.
Structural Breakdown: How “Told” Fits into Sentences
Understanding how “told” fits into various sentence structures is crucial for its correct usage. Here are some common patterns:
1. Simple Past Tense: Subject + Told + (Object)
Example: “He told a joke.”
This is the most basic structure, where “told” is used to describe a completed action in the past.
2. Past Continuous Tense: Subject + Was/Were + Telling
The past continuous tense uses the present participle “telling,” not “told.” However, it’s important to differentiate it from the simple past.
Example: “She was telling a story when the phone rang.”
3. Past Perfect Tense: Subject + Had + Told
The past perfect tense is used to describe an action completed before another action in the past.
Example: “They had told him the news before he left.”
4. Passive Voice: Subject + Was/Were + Told + (By + Agent)
In the passive voice, the subject receives the action.
Example: “I was told to wait outside.”
5. Indirect Speech: Reporting what someone said using “told.”
Example: “She said she was tired.” becomes “She told me she was tired.”
Types of “Telling” and Contexts
The verb “tell” and its past tense “told” can be used in various contexts to convey different types of information. Here are some common categories:
Telling Stories and Narratives
This involves recounting events, anecdotes, or fictional tales.
Example: “He told us a fascinating story about his adventures in the Amazon.”
Telling the Truth or Lies
This refers to the veracity of the information being conveyed.
Example: “She told the truth about what happened that night.”
Telling Secrets and Confidences
This involves sharing information that is meant to be kept private.
Example: “He told me a secret, but I promised not to tell anyone else.”
Telling Jokes and Humorous Anecdotes
This involves sharing something intended to be funny or amusing.
Example: “She told a hilarious joke that made everyone laugh.”
Telling Instructions and Directions
This involves giving guidance or commands.
Example: “He told me how to assemble the furniture.”
Telling Fortunes and Predictions
This involves predicting future events or outcomes.
Example: “The fortune teller told me I would have great success in my career.”
Telling Tales and Exaggerated Stories
This involves embellishing or exaggerating the truth.
Example: “He told tall tales about his fishing adventures.”
Examples of “Told” in Different Contexts
The following tables provide numerous examples of “told” used in various contexts. Each example illustrates a different usage of the past tense form.
Table 1: General Examples of “Told”
This table provides a range of sentences using “told” in various everyday situations.
| Sentence | Context |
|---|---|
| She told me she was going to the store. | Sharing information |
| He told us about his vacation. | Recounting an event |
| They told the children a bedtime story. | Narrating a tale |
| I told him to be careful. | Giving advice |
| The teacher told the students to study. | Giving instructions |
| She told me she would be late. | Reporting information |
| He told us a funny joke. | Sharing humor |
| They told the truth about what happened. | Stating facts |
| I told him my secret. | Sharing a confidence |
| The sign told us which way to go. | Providing direction |
| She told me about her new job. | Sharing personal news |
| He told us a ghost story around the campfire. | Narrating a spooky tale |
| They told the police everything they knew. | Providing information to authorities |
| I told him not to worry. | Offering reassurance |
| The doctor told me to take the medicine. | Giving medical advice |
| She told me she loved the gift. | Expressing appreciation |
| He told us he was proud of us. | Expressing pride |
| They told me they were moving to a new city. | Sharing significant life changes |
| I told him I would always be there for him. | Offering support |
| The instructions told us how to use the machine. | Providing operational guidance |
| She told me she needed some time alone. | Expressing personal needs |
| He told us he had won the lottery. | Sharing exciting news |
| They told the story of their ancestors. | Recounting family history |
| I told him I was sorry. | Expressing remorse |
| The guide told us about the history of the monument. | Providing historical information |
Table 2: “Told” in Reported Speech
This table demonstrates how “told” is used to report what someone said, converting direct speech into indirect speech.
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| She said, “I am tired.” | She told me she was tired. |
| He said, “I will be there.” | He told me he would be there. |
| They said, “We are going home.” | They told us they were going home. |
| I said, “I need help.” | I told them I needed help. |
| The teacher said, “The test is tomorrow.” | The teacher told the students the test was the next day. |
| She said, “I can’t come.” | She told me she couldn’t come. |
| He said, “I have finished the work.” | He told me he had finished the work. |
| They said, “We will call you later.” | They told me they would call me later. |
| I said, “I am happy to be here.” | I told them I was happy to be there. |
| The doctor said, “You need to rest.” | The doctor told me I needed to rest. |
| She said, “I am going to the party.” | She told me she was going to the party. |
| He said, “I have already eaten.” | He told me he had already eaten. |
| They said, “We are leaving now.” | They told me they were leaving then. |
| I said, “I will pay for dinner.” | I told them I would pay for dinner. |
| The manager said, “The meeting is postponed.” | The manager told us the meeting was postponed. |
| She said, “I will help you with that.” | She told me she would help me with that. |
| He said, “I have seen that movie before.” | He told me he had seen that movie before. |
| They said, “We are excited about the trip.” | They told us they were excited about the trip. |
| I said, “I am not feeling well.” | I told them I wasn’t feeling well. |
| The news reporter said, “The storm is approaching.” | The news reporter told us the storm was approaching. |
| She said, “I’m very grateful.” | She told me she was very grateful. |
| He said, “I’ve been working hard.” | He told me he had been working hard. |
| They said, “We are almost done.” | They told me they were almost done. |
| I said, “I’m running late.” | I told them I was running late. |
| The professor said, “The exam will be difficult.” | The professor told us the exam would be difficult. |
Table 3: “Told” with Indirect Objects
This table illustrates the use of “told” with indirect objects, showing who received the information.
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| She told me a story. | “Me” is the indirect object, receiving the story. |
| He told his friend the truth. | “His friend” is the indirect object, receiving the truth. |
| They told the children a secret. | “The children” are the indirect object, receiving the secret. |
| I told my boss about the problem. | “My boss” is the indirect object, receiving information about the problem. |
| The teacher told the class the answer. | “The class” is the indirect object, receiving the answer. |
| She told her mother the news. | “Her mother” is the indirect object, receiving the news. |
| He told his colleagues about his promotion. | “His colleagues” are the indirect object, receiving news of the promotion. |
| They told their parents they were getting married. | “Their parents” are the indirect object, receiving the news of the marriage. |
| I told my doctor about my symptoms. | “My doctor” is the indirect object, receiving information about the symptoms. |
| The author told the audience about the book. | “The audience” is the indirect object, receiving information about the book. |
| She told her partner a joke. | “Her partner” is the indirect object, receiving the joke. |
| He told his neighbor about the incident. | “His neighbor” is the indirect object, receiving information about the incident. |
| They told the police what they saw. | “The police” are the indirect object, receiving information about what they saw. |
| I told my therapist about my feelings. | “My therapist” is the indirect object, receiving information about the feelings. |
| The guide told the tourists about the history. | “The tourists” are the indirect object, receiving information about the history. |
| She told her students the assignment. | “Her students” are the indirect object, receiving the assignment. |
| He told his team the strategy. | “His team” is the indirect object, receiving information about the strategy. |
| They told their friends about their success. | “Their friends” are the indirect object, receiving information about their success. |
| I told my family about my decision. | “My family” are the indirect object, receiving information about the decision. |
| The speaker told the crowd about the cause. | “The crowd” is the indirect object, receiving information about the cause. |
| She told her child a fable. | “Her child” is the indirect object, receiving the fable. |
| He told his followers the news. | “His followers” are the indirect object, receiving the news. |
| They told their landlord about the issue. | “Their landlord” is the indirect object, receiving information about the issue. |
| I told my accountant about my taxes. | “My accountant” is the indirect object, receiving information about the taxes. |
| The instructor told the participants the rules. | “The participants” are the indirect object, receiving the rules. |
Table 4: “Told” in Passive Voice Sentences
This table demonstrates how “told” is used in passive voice constructions, where the subject receives the action.
| Sentence | Explanation |
|---|---|
| I was told to wait here. | The subject “I” received the instruction to wait. |
| He was told that the meeting was canceled. | The subject “He” received the information about the meeting cancellation. |
| They were told to be quiet. | The subject “They” received the instruction to be quiet. |
| She was told about the surprise party. | The subject “She” received the information about the party. |
| We were told to arrive early. | The subject “We” received the instruction to arrive early. |
| I was told not to worry. | The subject “I” received the instruction not to worry. |
| He was told that he had won. | The subject “He” received the information that he had won. |
| They were told to leave immediately. | The subject “They” received the instruction to leave immediately. |
| She was told to keep the secret. | The subject “She” received the instruction to keep the secret. |
| We were told to follow the instructions carefully. | The subject “We” received the instruction to follow the instructions. |
| I was told to bring a dish. | The subject “I” received the instruction to bring a dish. |
| He was told that his application was approved. | The subject “He” received the information that his application was approved. |
| They were told to submit their reports. | The subject “They” received the instruction to submit their reports. |
| She was told to contact customer service. | The subject “She” received the instruction to contact customer service. |
| We were told to expect delays. | The subject “We” received the information to expect delays. |
| I was told to confirm my reservation. | The subject “I” received the instruction to confirm my reservation. |
| He was told that his package had arrived. | The subject “He” received the information that his package had arrived. |
| They were told to prepare for the presentation. | The subject “They” received the instruction to prepare for the presentation. |
| She was told to update her password. | The subject “She” received the instruction to update her password. |
| We were told to review the document. | The subject “We” received the instruction to review the document. |
| I was told to arrive before 8 AM. | The subject “I” received the instruction to arrive before 8 AM. |
| He was told that the event would be outdoors. | The subject “He” received the information that the event would be outdoors. |
| They were told to sign the agreement. | The subject “They” received the instruction to sign the agreement. |
| She was told to bring her ID. | The subject “She” received the instruction to bring her ID. |
| We were told to be patient. | The subject “We” received the instruction to be patient. |
Usage Rules for “Told”
Using “told” correctly involves understanding a few key rules:
1. Direct Object Requirement: “Tell” usually requires a direct object. You need to tell something or tell someone something.
Correct: “She told a story.”
Correct: “She told me a story.”
Incorrect: “She told.” (incomplete thought)
2. Indirect Object Placement: When using an indirect object, you can either place it after “told” or use the preposition “to.”
Correct: “He told me the news.”
Correct: “He told the news to me.”
3. Reported Speech: In reported speech, “told” is often used to introduce what someone said.
Correct: “She told me that she was happy.”
4. Tense Consistency: Ensure that the tense in the reported clause is consistent with the past tense of “told.” This often involves backshifting the tense.
Direct: “I am tired,” she said.
Reported: “She told me she was tired.” (Present becomes past)
5. Avoid Redundancy: Avoid using “tell” redundantly with phrases like “said that.”
Redundant: “She told me that she said she was coming.”
Better: “She told me she was coming.”
Common Mistakes with “Told”
Here are some common mistakes learners make with “told,” along with corrections:
1. Using the Incorrect Past Tense Form:
Incorrect: “He telled me the story.”
Correct: “He told me the story.”
2. Omitting the Direct Object:
Incorrect: “She told.”
Correct: “She told a secret.”
3. Incorrect Tense in Reported Speech:
Incorrect: “He told me he is going.”
Correct: “He told me he was going.”
4. Misusing “Say” vs. “Tell”: “Say” generally doesn’t take an indirect object unless “to” is included. “Tell” usually does.
Incorrect: “He said me the news.”
Correct: “He told me the news.” or “He said the news to me.”
5. Confusing “Told” with “Telling”: “Telling” is the present participle and is used in continuous tenses.
Incorrect: “He was told the story yesterday.” (passive voice is correct here, but not the intended meaning)
Correct: “He was telling the story yesterday.” (past continuous)
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of “told” with these exercises.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “tell” (told).
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. She _______ me she was going to be late. | told |
| 2. He _______ us a funny joke. | told |
| 3. They _______ the children a bedtime story. | told |
| 4. I _______ him not to worry. | told |
| 5. The teacher _______ the students to study hard. | told |
| 6. My friend _______ me a secret. | told |
| 7. The sign _______ us which way to go. | told |
| 8. The guide _______ us about the history of the castle. | told |
| 9. She _______ me she was excited about the trip. | told |
| 10. He _______ us he had won the lottery. | told |
Exercise 2: Rewrite in Reported Speech
Rewrite the following sentences in reported speech using “told.”
| Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|
| 1. She said, “I am happy.” | She told me she was happy. |
| 2. He said, “I will be there.” | He told me he would be there. |
| 3. They said, “We are going home.” | They told me they were going home. |
| 4. I said, “I need help.” | I told them I needed help. |
| 5. The teacher said, “The test is tomorrow.” | The teacher told us the test was the next day. |
| 6. “I can’t believe it!” she said. | She told me she couldn’t believe it. |
| 7. “I have finished my homework,” he said. | He told me he had finished his homework. |
| 8. “We will call you back,” they said. | They told me they would call me back. |
| 9. “I am very pleased with the results,” I said. | I told them I was very pleased with the results. |
| 10. “You should rest,” the doctor said. | The doctor told me I should rest. |
Exercise 3: Correct the Mistakes
Identify and correct the mistakes in the following sentences.
| Incorrect Sentence | Correct Sentence |
|---|---|
| 1. He telled me the truth. | He told me the truth. |
| 2. She told. | She told a story. |
| 3. He told me he is coming. | He told me he was coming. |
| 4. They said me the news. | They told me the news. |
| 5. I was tell the story. | I was told the story. |
| 6. She have told me that. | She has told me that. |
| 7. They are tell me everything. | They are telling me everything. |
| 8. He going to told me. | He is going to tell me. |
| 9. We was tell him the truth. | We were telling him the truth. |
| 10. I be told to go. | I was told to go. |
Advanced Topics: Nuances and Complex Sentences
For advanced learners, understanding the nuances of “told” in more complex sentence structures can further refine your English skills.
1. “Told” with Infinitives:
Example: “I was told to be there by 8 AM.”
This structure combines the passive voice with an infinitive phrase, indicating an instruction or expectation.
2. “Told” with Gerunds (less common):
While “tell” doesn’t typically take a gerund directly, it can be part of a larger phrase.
Example: “After being told about the risks, he decided to proceed.”
3. Implied Subjects in Passive Voice:
Sometimes, the agent (the person who did the telling) is omitted in passive voice sentences when it’s obvious or unimportant.
Example: “I was told to wait.” (The person who told me is not specified.)
4. Using “Told” in Subjunctive Mood (rare):
In formal contexts, “told” can be used in subjunctive constructions, though this is less common in modern English.
Example: “It was told that he should resign.” (More formal/archaic; better to rephrase as “He was told to resign.”)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some common questions learners have about the past tense of “tell.”
1. Why is “told” the past tense of “tell” instead of “telled”?
The verb “tell” is an irregular verb, meaning its past tense and past participle forms do not follow the standard “-ed” ending rule. Irregular verbs have unique forms that must be memorized. The past tense of “tell” is “told” due to historical linguistic developments.
2. What’s the difference between “say” and “tell”?
“Say” generally refers to the act of uttering words. “Tell” implies conveying information to someone. “Tell” usually takes an indirect object, while “say” does not, unless “to” is used.
Example: “He said, ‘Hello.'” vs. “He told me hello.” or “He said hello to me.”
3. Can “told” be used in the present perfect tense?
No, the present perfect tense uses the past participle, which is also “told.” The structure would be “has/have told.”
Example: “I have told him everything.”
4. How do I use “told” in negative sentences?
Use “did not tell” (didn’t tell) in the simple past tense. The past tense form “told” is not used with “did.”
Example: “I didn’t tell him the secret.”
5. How do I form questions with “told”?
Use “did” to form questions in the simple past tense.
Example: “Did you tell her the truth?”
6. Is it correct to say “I was telling” instead of “I was told”?
These have different meanings. “I was telling” is the past continuous tense, indicating an ongoing action of telling. “I was told” is the passive voice, indicating that someone told you something.
Example: “I was telling him the story when the phone rang.” (past continuous)
Example: “I was told to be there by 8 AM.” (passive voice)
7. Can “told” be used in conditional sentences?
Yes, “told” can be used in conditional sentences, particularly in the main clause to describe a past result or in reported speech within the conditional clause.
Example: “If he had asked, I would have told him the truth.”
8. What is the difference between ‘said’ and ‘told’ in reported speech?
The key difference lies in whether an indirect object is present. ‘Told’ typically requires an indirect object (the person being told), while ‘said’ doesn’t. If you include the person being spoken to, ‘told’ is usually the better choice. If you’re simply reporting the utterance without specifying the listener, ‘said’ is appropriate.
Example: “She said that she was tired.” (no specific listener mentioned)
Example: “She told me that she was tired.” (the listener, ‘me’, is specified)
Conclusion
Mastering
the past tense of “tell” and its various applications is essential for effective communication in English. By understanding its definition, structural usage, and common contexts, you can confidently use “told” in your everyday conversations and writing. Remember to practice regularly and pay attention to the nuances of its usage to further enhance your language skills. Keep practicing, and you’ll find yourself using “told” correctly and confidently in no time!
