What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tell
Example
Can you tell me what happened? [tell: verb]
Example
She told him to turn left at the stop sign. [told: past tense]
Example
His expression told me that he was upset. [told: past participle]
reveal
Example
The investigation revealed new evidence in the case. [reveal: verb]
Example
The magician revealed the card that the audience member had chosen. [revealed: past tense]
Example
The sunset revealed a beautiful array of colors. [revealed: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tell is more commonly used than reveal in everyday language, as it is more versatile and covers a wider range of contexts. Reveal is more formal and often used in written or academic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tell and reveal?
Reveal is generally considered more formal than tell, and is often used in more serious or academic contexts. However, both words can be used in formal or informal settings depending on the context and tone of the communication.
