"tell" in a Sentence — Examples for K-8

Three example sentences for tell, written at K-2, 3-5, and 6-8 reading levels.

What does "tell" mean?

tell is a verb that means: to say something to someone. Seeing it in real sentences helps kids learn how the word actually behaves in writing.

Grade K–2Easy sentence with tell

"Tell me a story."

Notice the short, simple structure — perfect for early readers learning to decode and understand new words.

Grade 3–5Upper-elementary sentence with tell

"She decided to tell her friend the whole truth about what happened at recess."

This sentence adds more context and detail — typical of chapter books at this grade level.

Grade 6–8Middle-school sentence with tell

"The hardest thing to tell somebody is usually the very thing they most need to hear, which is why it waits until you're brave enough."

At this level, tell takes on subtler shades of meaning depending on context — the kind of nuance middle-schoolers need for essay writing.

How to use these sentences in the classroom

Sentence imitation — Read the example aloud, then have students write their own sentence with the same structure but a different topic.

Vocabulary notebooks — Have students copy the grade-appropriate sentence into their vocabulary journal alongside the definition.

Reading comprehension — Ask students to identify why tell is the right word for that sentence — what would change if you swapped it for a synonym?

FAQ — using "tell" in sentences

How do I use tell in a sentence for a 1st grader?

Try: "Tell me a story." Keep it under 7 words and use sight-word vocabulary around it.

What's a more advanced sentence with tell?

"The hardest thing to tell somebody is usually the very thing they most need to hear, which is why it waits until you're brave enough."

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