Cool MateCommunicate vs Tell
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Communicate
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Tell
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
| Communicate | Tell | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪt/","/kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪts/","/kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪtɪd/","/kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪt/","/kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪts/","/kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪtɪd/","/kəˈmjuːnɪkeɪtɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/tel/","/telz/","/təʊld/","/ˈtelɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/tel/","/telz/","/təʊld/","/ˈtelɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To share information or ideas with others. | to say information to someone |
| Example | It's important to communicate your ideas clearly to others. | I want to tell you a secret. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | A1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | clearly, effectively, successfully, by, through, to | bluntly, curtly, flatly, want to, be going to, try to, about, of, to, firmly, sternly |
| Antonyms | conceal, withhold, silence | hide, withhold, suppress |
| Common mistakes | Using 'communicate' without an object (e.g., 'I communicate' instead of 'I communicate my ideas')., Confusing 'communicate' with 'communicative' which has a different meaning., Incorrectly conjugating the verb in different tenses. | Saying 'tell to' instead of just 'tell'., Using 'tell' without a direct object., Confusing 'tell' with 'say' in contexts where direction is implied. |
| Usage notes | Used in both formal and informal contexts. Can refer to spoken, written, or non-verbal communication. Avoid in very casual situations where simpler words might be more effective. | Use 'tell' when you inform someone about something. It's neutral and suitable for most contexts. Avoid using it in overly formal writing; instead, use 'inform' or 'notify'. |
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Frequently asked questions: Communicate vs Tell
What's the difference between Communicate and Tell?
Communicate: To share information or ideas with others. Tell: to say information to someone
Which is more advanced: Communicate and Tell?
Communicate is the highest level, at A2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Communicate and Tell the same CEFR level?
Communicate: A2, Tell: A1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Communicate and Tell?
Communicate: verb, Tell: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Communicate: It's important to communicate your ideas clearly to others. Tell: I want to tell you a secret.
Can I use Communicate and Tell interchangeably?
Not always. Communicate and Tell are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.