Ask vs. Tell: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Published on September 23, 2023
"Ask" means to request information or action, while "tell" means to provide or convey information.
Difference Between Ask and Tell
"Ask" and "tell" are both verbs in the English language, but they have distinct meanings and are used in different contexts. "Ask" primarily involves requesting information, seeking permission, or inquiring about something. It represents a proactive approach, where the person is seeking to know or understand. Conversely, "tell" is about conveying or imparting information, often in response to someone or as a declaration.
Muazma Batool
Sep 23, 2023
In the realm of communication, when one "asks," there's an inherent sense of curiosity, uncertainty, or the need for clarification. For instance, asking a question implies that the asker lacks certain knowledge and hopes to gain it. "Tell," on the other hand, is authoritative and assumes the person doing the telling possesses information the listener does not. When someone "tells" you something, they are sharing knowledge or giving direction.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
Another interesting difference is in the implied power dynamics. To "ask" often places the person in a position of lesser authority or knowledge, looking for guidance or information from another. "Tell" generally implies a position of authority or superiority, as the person telling assumes they have information the other party needs or wants.
Muazma Batool
Sep 23, 2023
Grammar also plays a part in distinguishing the two. "Ask" often requires an object to complete its meaning, like "ask a question" or "ask him." "Tell" needs both a direct object (the information) and an indirect object (the recipient of the information), as in "tell me a story" or "tell her the truth."
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
Ask vs. Tell Comparison Chart
Primary Function
To request information or action
To provide or convey information
Muazma Batool
Sep 23, 2023
Implied Power Dynamics
Often implies seeking or lesser authority
Implies imparting or a position of authority
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
Requirement in Sentence
Needs an object for completion
Requires both direct and indirect objects
Muazma Batool
Sep 23, 2023
Sense of Communication
Curiosity, uncertainty, or seeking clarification
Authoritative, sharing knowledge, or giving direction
William
Sep 23, 2023
Ask vs. Tell Definitions
◉Tell
To communicate by speech or writing; express with words
She told him that the store was closed. Tell me the truth.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tell
To give a detailed account of; narrate
told what happened.
told us a story.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Ask
To set a price or value on something.
How much do they ask for the painting?
Muazma Batool
Sep 15, 2023
◉Tell
To notify (someone) of something; inform
He told us of his dream to sail around the world.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Ask
To put a question to
When we realized that we didn't know the answer, we asked the teacher.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tell
To inform (someone) positively; assure
I tell you, the plan will work.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tell
To name or number one by one; count
telling one's blessings.
16 windows, all told.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Ask
To require or call for as a price or condition
asked ten dollars for the book.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tell
To relate a story or give an account of an event
The sailor told of having been adrift for days.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tell
An unintentional or unconsciously exhibited behavior that reveals or betrays one's state of mind, as when playing poker.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tell
A mound, especially in the Middle East, made up of the remains of a succession of previous settlements.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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).
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Ask
Something that is requested
“Being funny on demand is a big ask” (Anne Curzan).
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tell
To convey by speech; to say.
Finally, someone told him the truth.
He seems to like to tell lies.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Ask
To request (information, or an answer to a question).
I asked her age.
I asked her (for) her age.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tell
(transitive) To order; to direct, to say to someone.
Tell him to go away.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Ask
To interrogate or enquire of (a person).
I'm going to ask this lady for directions.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Ask
To request permission to do something.
She asked to see the doctor.
Did you ask to use the car?
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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?
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Ask
To publish in church for marriage; said of both the banns and the persons.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tell
To inform someone in authority about a wrongdoing.
I saw you steal those sweets! I'm telling!
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tell
(internet) A private message to an individual in a chat room; a whisper.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tell
(archaeology) A hill or mound, originally and especially in the Middle East, over or consisting of the ruins of ancient settlements.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tell
To make known; to publish; to disclose; to divulge.
Why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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?
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Ask
To publish in church for marriage; - said of both the banns and the persons.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tell
To make account of; to regard; to reckon; to value; to estimate.
I ne told no dainity of her love.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Ask
To request or petition; - usually followed by for; as, to ask for bread.
Ask, and it shall be given you.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Ask
To make inquiry, or seek by request; - sometimes followed by after.
Wherefore . . . dost ask after my name?
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Ask
inquire about;
I asked about their special today
He had to ask directions several times
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Ask
make a request or demand for something to somebody;
She asked him for a loan
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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)
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Tell
narrate or give a detailed account of;
Tell what happened
The father told a story to his child
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Ask
address a question to and expect an answer from;
Ask your teacher about trigonometry
The children asked me about their dead grandmother
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 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
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Ask
To inquire or express a desire to know about something.
He asked about the project's progress.
Leo
Sep 15, 2023
◉Tell
inform positively and with certainty and confidence;
I tell you that man is a crook!
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
Ask vs. Tell Frequently Asked Questions
Is "tell" primarily about providing information?
Yes, it's about conveying or imparting details.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
What does "tell" need in terms of sentence structure?
It often requires both direct and indirect objects.
Lucas
Sep 23, 2023
Is "ask" about curiosity?
Yes, it often denotes curiosity or the need for clarification.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 23, 2023
When we "tell" something, is it always true?
Not necessarily, people can tell stories or even lies.
Kaitlyn
Sep 23, 2023
Is there a power dynamic in "tell"?
Often, it implies a position of authority or knowledge.
William
Sep 23, 2023
Content Creators
Written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
