In this English lesson, you’re going to learn 10 collocations that use SAY, TELL, and ASK.
Below, you’ll see the video lesson, the collocation list, definitions, and examples.
Ready? Let’s get started!
1: Tell a lie
This means to lie to someone.
- He’s always telling lies
- He told a lie to get away with it
2: Ask somebody out
This means to ask someone to go on a date with you. Very romantic!
- Should I ask her out?
- I asked her out but she said no
Here’s a lesson on more romance vocabulary.
3: Tell a story
This means to relate a story. Again, we use TELL with STORY.
- He tells a good story
- Did I tell you the story about the time I found a wallet?
4: Say sorry
This means to apologize.
- Say sorry to your sister
- Did you say sorry for getting in late?
5: Ask around
This is a great phrasal verb. It means to talk to various people to find something out.
- I’m asking around to find a canopy
- We asked around but nobody knew who the new manager is going to be
6: Tell a secret
This means to let something be known.
- Did you tell them my secret?
- Go on, tell me your secret!
The opposite of this is to keep a secret.
- He can’t keep a secret.
7: Tell the time
This means to be able to read a clock or a watch and know what time it is.
- Can you tell the time yet?
- I couldn’t tell the time until I was 15
8: Can’t say for sure (idiom)
This means that you don’t know something for certain. Often, you’re guessing or giving your best answer even though you lack knowledge.
- I can’t say for sure, but I think around 15 people are coming to the party
- I’m new to this so I can’t say for sure
9: Don’t make me say it again!
Teachers use this a lot. It’s used when someone is frustrated or angry because they think that no one is listening.
- Here’s your homework, listen carefully because I won’t say it again
10: Ask for Trouble
This is to act in a way that is likely to incur problems or difficulties.
- Behaving like that at school is asking for trouble
- That player is asking for trouble
