Cool MateLet me know vs Tell me what's going on
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Let me know
Top 1,000 (very common)
Tell me what's going on
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Let me know
| Let me know | Tell me what's going on | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //lɛt miː nəʊ//🇺🇸 //lɛt mi ˈnoʊ// | 🇬🇧 //tɛl mi wɒts ˈɡəʊɪŋ ɒn//🇺🇸 //tɛl mi wɑts ˈɡoʊɪŋ ɑn// |
| Meaning | Tell me when you have information. | Ask someone to explain what is happening. |
| Example | Please let me know if you can come to the party. | When I walked in, everyone looked confused, so I asked, 'Tell me what's going on.' |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | let me know, let us know, let him know | tell me what's happening, tell me the news, tell me the update |
| Antonyms | keep me in the dark, withhold information | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'let me knowed' instead of 'let me know'., Confusing with 'let me knew'., Overusing in formal contexts where more formal phrases are expected. | Omitting 'me' and saying just 'Tell what's going on'., Confusing with 'Tell me what's wrong'., Not using it in a questioning tone. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in casual and formal conversation. Best for requesting updates or information. Avoid in very formal writing. | Used in informal settings to inquire about a situation. Suitable for friends or colleagues but may be too casual for formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Let me know vs Tell me what's going on
What's the difference between Let me know and Tell me what's going on?
Let me know: Tell me when you have information. Tell me what's going on: Ask someone to explain what is happening.
Which is more common: Let me know and Tell me what's going on?
Let me know is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Let me know: Please let me know if you can come to the party. Tell me what's going on: When I walked in, everyone looked confused, so I asked, 'Tell me what's going on.'
Can I use Let me know and Tell me what's going on interchangeably?
Not always. Let me know and Tell me what's going on 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.