meaning of "tell"

Question

Dear teachers,Here is a text where the meaning of "tell" changes from its primary meaning:TEXT: The sentry at the gate presented arms. They drove on through and stopped for the military policeman inside. He looked at Larry's identification car and waved him through. "How could he tell me?" Larry asked. "Nobody ever looks like those pictures they take of you at the War department."If the word “tell” is correct here, does it mean “recognize ”? Would you please give other examples (contexts) where “tell” has this kind of meaning?Regards,Hela

Pieanne · Accepted Answer

In the case of real twins, for example, it's hard to tell one from the other.

Davkett · Answer

Hela,

It is definition number 6 here (from Merriam-Webster):

1 : COUNT, ENUMERATE
2 a : to relate in detail : NARRATE b : to give utterance to : SAY<who dares think one thing, and another tell -- Alexander Pope>
3 a : to make known : DIVULGE, REVEAL b : to express in words <she never told her love -- Shakespeare>
4 a : to report to : INFORM b : to assure emphatically <they did not do it, I tell you>
5 : ORDER, DIRECT<told me to wait>
6 : to find out by observing : RECOGNIZE<you can tell it's a masterpiece>

However, I find the expression, as you quoted it, more ambiguous than saying, 'How could he tell it was me?'

Hela · Answer

Thank you to you both.

Indeed, davkett, I found the construction rather strange...

All the best,

Hela

MrPedantic · Answer

I find it strange too.

We usually need a comparison or a "that" clause, with this sense of "tell":

1. How could he tell us apart?

2. How could he tell me from my brother?

3. How could he tell (that) it's me?

MrP

Clive · Answer

Hi guys,

'Fortune-teller' is an interesting word which demonstrates the use of 'tell' in the sense of 'recognize' rather than simply 'narrate'.

Clive

Hela · Answer

Thanks again for your help!

Hela

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