tell,有“辨别并告知”的意思,而其他动词,只有“说出,讲出”的意思及物动词 vt.
1. 告诉;讲述,说[O1][O5][O6][(+about/of/to)]
He told us how the accident happened.
他告诉我们那次事故是怎么发生的.
She told me that she would be back in an hour.
她告诉我她一个小时内就会回来.
Did he tell you when to start out?
他有没有告诉你什么时候出发?
I told her my telephone number before we parted.
我们分手前,我把电话号码告诉了她.
2. 吩咐,命令[O2][O6]
Tell him not to come tomorrow.
叫他明天别来.
I told her to wait.
我叫她等一等.
3. 显示,显露[O5][O6]
She cracked a smile that told her joy.
她绽出笑容,显露内心的欢乐.
4. 识别;辨别[O5][O6][O][(+from/apart)]
I really can't tell which is which.
我实在看不出哪个是哪个.
5. (常用过去时)忠告,警告[Y][O2][+(that)]
I told you not to do that, and now look what's happened!
我警告过你不要干此事,你瞧现在出事了.
6. 向...告发[(+on)]
不及物动词 vi.
1. 讲述[(+of/about)]
The book tells of his sister's life in Japan.
这本书谈及他妹妹在日本的生活情况.
2. 识别;判定
It's too early to tell.
现在要作出判断为时过早.
3. 产生效果;发生影响[(+on)]
Strain began to tell on his health.
过度劳累开始影响他的健康.
4. 【口】告发[(+on)]