Ask vs. Tell: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Published on November 5, 2023
"Ask" means to request information or action, while "Tell" means to give information or instructions.
Key Differences
"Ask" typically implies a sense of inquiry or request. It’s utilized when one seeks information, permission, or assistance. On the other hand, "Tell" generally involves providing information, often in a straightforward or directive manner. Both words are pivotal in communication, facilitating a flow of information between individuals, yet they function distinctly.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 05, 2023
In utilizing "Ask," one may be soliciting knowledge or understanding, often exposing a gap in their own awareness or capability. Contrarily, "Tell" presumes an authority or possession of knowledge which is being conveyed to another. The dynamics of interaction hence are subtly altered based on which verb is employed.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 05, 2023
Examples of "Ask" in communication might involve queries or pleas, exemplifying a degree of humility or curiosity. "Tell" might embody imparting wisdom, sharing narratives, or providing directives. The former implies a kind of vulnerability, while the latter exudes confidence or command.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 05, 2023
"Ask" often suggests a politeness or deference, particularly in scenarios of requesting assistance or permission. "Tell" can, at times, appear imperious as it typically does not involve seeking the recipient’s agreement or feedback. The nature of the communication can be gentler or more authoritarian depending on the choice between "ask" and "tell."
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 05, 2023
In cultural and contextual adjustments, "Ask" and "Tell" might also carry various implications or etiquettes. For instance, in some contexts, it's preferred to 'ask’ delicately rather than ‘tell’ commandingly. Understanding the nuanced use of each allows for more effective and empathetic communication in various scenarios.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 05, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Intention
Seeking information or permission
Providing information or directives
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Nov 05, 2023
Dependency
Relies on the respondent's information
Independent of recipient's knowledge
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Nov 05, 2023
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Ask and Tell Definitions
Ask
To put a question to
When we realized that we didn't know the answer, we asked the teacher.
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Oct 07, 2023
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Tell
To communicate by speech or writing; express with words
She told him that the store was closed. Tell me the truth.
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Oct 07, 2023
Tell
To give a detailed account of; narrate
Told what happened.
Told us a story.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Tell
To notify (someone) of something; inform
He told us of his dream to sail around the world.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Ask
To make a request for. Often used with an infinitive or clause
Ask a favor of a friend.
Asked to go along on the trip.
Asked that he be allowed to stay out late.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Ask
To require or call for as a price or condition
Asked ten dollars for the book.
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Oct 07, 2023
Tell
To name or number one by one; count
Telling one's blessings.
16 windows, all told.
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Oct 07, 2023
Tell
To relate a story or give an account of an event
The sailor told of having been adrift for days.
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Oct 07, 2023
Tell
To reveal something that is not supposed to be revealed, especially something that someone has done wrong
She promised not to tell on her friend.
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Oct 07, 2023
Ask
The act of making a request
“He was contacted by the mayor's fund-raiser ... a day after the mayor made the ask” (Jennifer Fermino).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Ask
Something that is requested
“Being funny on demand is a big ask” (Anne Curzan).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Tell
An unintentional or unconsciously exhibited behavior that reveals or betrays one's state of mind, as when playing poker.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Ask
To request (information, or an answer to a question).
I asked her age.
I asked her (for) her age.
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Oct 07, 2023
Tell
A mound, especially in the Middle East, made up of the remains of a succession of previous settlements.
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Oct 07, 2023
Tell
To count, reckon, or enumerate.
All told, there were over a dozen.
Can you tell time on a clock?
He had untold wealth.
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Oct 07, 2023
Ask
To interrogate or enquire of (a person).
I'm going to ask this lady for directions.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Ask
To request or petition; usually with for.
To ask for a second helping at dinner
To ask for help with homework
Emma asked Jim to close his eyes.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Tell
To convey by speech; to say.
Finally, someone told him the truth.
He seems to like to tell lies.
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Oct 07, 2023
Ask
To request permission to do something.
She asked to see the doctor.
Did you ask to use the car?
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Ask
To require, demand, claim, or expect, whether by way of remuneration or return, or as a matter of necessity.
What price are you asking for the house?
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Oct 07, 2023
Tell
(transitive) To order; to direct, to say to someone.
Tell him to go away.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Tell
To discern, notice, identify or distinguish.
Can you tell whether those flowers are real or silk, from this distance?
No, there's no way to tell.
I can tell you're upset.
An expert can tell an original from a forgery.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Ask
To publish in church for marriage; said of both the banns and the persons.
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Oct 07, 2023
Tell
(intransitive) To have an effect, especially a noticeable one; to be apparent, to be demonstrated.
Sir Gerald was moving slower; his wounds were beginning to tell.
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Oct 07, 2023
Tell
To inform someone in authority about a wrongdoing.
I saw you steal those sweets! I'm telling!
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Oct 07, 2023
Ask
(Internet) A message sent to a blog on social networking platform Tumblr, which can be publicly posted and replied to by the recipient.
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Oct 07, 2023
Tell
To reveal information in prose through outright expository statement -- contrasted with show
Maria rewrote the section of her novel that talked about Meg and Sage's friendship to have less telling and more showing.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Tell
A reflexive, often habitual behavior, especially one occurring in a context that often features attempts at deception by persons under psychological stress (such as a poker game or police interrogation), that reveals information that the person exhibiting the behavior is attempting to withhold.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Ask
To request; to seek to obtain by words; to petition; to solicit; - often with of, in the sense of from, before the person addressed.
Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God.
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Tell
(internet) A private message to an individual in a chat room; a whisper.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Ask
To require, demand, claim, or expect, whether by way of remuneration or return, or as a matter of necessity; as, what price do you ask?
Ask me never so much dowry.
To whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
An exigence of state asks a much longer time to conduct a design to maturity.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Tell
(archaeology) A hill or mound, originally and especially in the Middle East, over or consisting of the ruins of ancient settlements.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Ask
To interrogate or inquire of or concerning; to put a question to or about; to question.
He is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.
He asked the way to Chester.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Tell
To mention one by one, or piece by piece; to recount; to enumerate; to reckon; to number; to count; as, to tell money.
He telleth the number of the stars.
Tell the joints of the body.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Tell
To utter or recite in detail; to give an account of; to narrate.
Of which I shall tell all the array.
And not a man appears to tell their fate.
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Oct 07, 2023
Ask
To publish in church for marriage; - said of both the banns and the persons.
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Oct 07, 2023
Tell
To make known; to publish; to disclose; to divulge.
Why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?
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Oct 07, 2023
Ask
To request or petition; - usually followed by for; as, to ask for bread.
Ask, and it shall be given you.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Tell
To give instruction to; to make report to; to acquaint; to teach; to inform.
A secret pilgrimage,That you to-day promised to tell me of?
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Ask
To make inquiry, or seek by request; - sometimes followed by after.
Wherefore . . . dost ask after my name?
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Oct 07, 2023
Tell
To discern so as to report; to ascertain by observing; to find out; to discover; as, I can not tell where one color ends and the other begins.
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Oct 07, 2023
Ask
Inquire about;
I asked about their special today
He had to ask directions several times
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Oct 07, 2023
Tell
To make account of; to regard; to reckon; to value; to estimate.
I ne told no dainity of her love.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Ask
Make a request or demand for something to somebody;
She asked him for a loan
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Tell
To give an account; to make report.
That I may publish with the voice of thankgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Tell
To take effect; to produce a marked effect; as, every shot tells; every expression tells.
Lest they should tell on us, saying, So did David.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Ask
Consider obligatory; request and expect;
We require our secretary to be on time
Aren't we asking too much of these children?
I expect my students to arrive in time for their lessons
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Ask
Require or ask for as a price or condition;
He is asking $200 for the table
The kidnapers are asking a million dollars in return for the release of their hostage
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Oct 07, 2023
Ask
Address a question to and expect an answer from;
Ask your teacher about trigonometry
The children asked me about their dead grandmother
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Tell
A Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer; according to legend an Austrian governor compelled him to shoot an apple from his son's head with his crossbow (which he did successfully without mishap)
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Ask
Require as useful, just, or proper;
It takes nerve to do what she did
Success usually requires hard work
This job asks a lot of patience and skill
This position demands a lot of personal sacrifice
This dinner calls for a spectacular dessert
This intervention does not postulates a patient's consent
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Tell
Express in words;
He said that he wanted to marry her
Tell me what is bothering you
State your opinion
State your name
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Oct 07, 2023
Tell
Narrate or give a detailed account of;
Tell what happened
The father told a story to his child
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Oct 07, 2023
Tell
Give instructions to or direct somebody to do something with authority;
I said to him to go home
She ordered him to do the shopping
The mother told the child to get dressed
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Oct 07, 2023
Tell
Inform positively and with certainty and confidence;
I tell you that man is a crook!
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Oct 07, 2023
FAQs
What's a common phrasal verb with "ask"?
"Ask for" – to request something, e.g., "He asked for some water."
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 05, 2023
How do you form the past tense of "ask"?
"Asked" – "She asked him a question."
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 05, 2023
Can "ask" be used as a noun?
Yes, e.g., "If you have an ask, please let me know."
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 05, 2023
Is "ask" always about questions?
Not always. It can be about seeking permission, e.g., "Can I ask to leave early?"
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 05, 2023
Is "ask" a transitive or intransitive verb?
It can be both, but it's often transitive, e.g., "She asked a question."
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 05, 2023
What is the basic meaning of "ask"?
"Ask" means to request information or to make an inquiry.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 05, 2023
What's the basic definition of "tell"?
"Tell" means to communicate information or facts.
Harlon Moss
Nov 05, 2023
Is "tell" transitive or intransitive?
It's primarily transitive, e.g., "He told a story."
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 05, 2023
Can "ask" be used in passive voice?
Yes, e.g., "She was asked about her opinion."
Aimie Carlson
Nov 05, 2023
Can "ask" be formal?
Yes, depending on context. For instance, "I'd like to ask for your assistance."
Harlon Moss
Nov 05, 2023
Can "tell" indicate a sign of something?
Yes, e.g., "The dark clouds tell of an approaching storm."
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 05, 2023
What's the difference between "tell" and "inform"?
Both convey information, but "inform" is more formal and is often about specific or official details.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 05, 2023
Can "tell" be used in idioms?
Yes, e.g., "tell it like it is" or "you can't tell a book by its cover."
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 05, 2023
Is "tell" the same as "say"?
Not exactly. "Tell" usually requires a direct object (whom you're telling), while "say" focuses on the words spoken.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 05, 2023
Can you provide a common phrasal verb with "tell"?
"Tell apart" – to distinguish between, e.g., "I can't tell them apart."
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 05, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
