The verb tell is irregular. Its past tense and present or past perfect), it is part of a cohort of irregular verbs that share the same past tense and past participle form.

When to use "told" (past) vs. "told" (participle)

He told the news to everybody he saw.

I have told them all the answers numerous times.

The verb tell uses the same form for both simple past tense and present or past perfect), it requires an auxiliary verb like have, has, or had. The simple past doesn't use a helper verb since it's a complete tense, so told can stand alone in sentences, whereas participles require an auxiliary verb.

Similar irregular verbs

tell

Past: told

Past part: told

Sentence examples: tell, told, told

Tell (present tense)

• Did she tell you her name?

• I tell my friends about my evening every day.

• She tells her son a story before she goes to bed.

Told (past simple)

• He told everybody he saw the news.

• She told me where she lives.

• We told our friends about the party before it started.

Told (present or past perfect)

• He has told her parents about the decision.

• I have told them all the answers numerous times.

• The story has been told for generations.

Synonyms & nearby words

Synonyms for tell

reveal inform say communicate describe report narrate relate disclose

Nearby phrases

tell apart tell off tell on tell the truth tell a story tell time tell tales

Idioms with "tell"

Hear tell of something

To hear information or rumors about something, typically through indirect sources. Example: "I've heard tell of a hidden treasure in these parts."

Does Macy's tell Gimble's?

A rhetorical question meaning "Why should I share my secrets with a competitor?" Originated from two rival department stores in New York. Used to deflect questions about confidential information.

To tell chalk from cheese

To be able to distinguish between two very different things. Example: "Anyone with common sense can tell chalk from cheese."

Live to tell the tale

To survive a dangerous or difficult experience and be able to describe it afterwards. Example: "Not many people survived that accident, but he lived to tell the tale."

Tell it to the Marines!

An expression of disbelief or skepticism, suggesting that the speaker doesn't believe what they're being told. It implies "I don't believe you, but perhaps someone more gullible would."

Origin of the verb tell

Old English tellan “to reckon, calculate, number, compute; consider, think, esteem, account”, from Proto-Germanic taljan* “to mention in order”.

Practice: Forms of “Tell”

FAQs

What is the past tense of "tell"?

The simple past tense of "tell" is "told."

Is "tell" a regular verb?

No, "tell" is an irregular verb. It does not end in "-ed" in either of its past verb conjugations, unlike regular verbs.

What's the past participle of "tell"?

The past participle form of the verb "tell" is also "told." This form is used with auxiliary verbs like "has," "have," or "had."

How is "told" used as a participle?

"Told" as a past participle requires a helper or auxiliary verb like "has," "have," or "had." For example, "I have told them the answers."

How many forms does the verb "tell" have?

The irregular verb "tell" has two main verb forms in total: the base form "tell" and the past tense/past participle form "told."

Sources

Harper, Douglas. "Etymology of tell." Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/word/tell. Accessed 16 January, 2023.
"Tell." TheFreeDictionary.com. 2023. Farlex, Inc. 16 Jan. 2023 https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/tell