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Ditch Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
"Tell a Story" and "Tell of a Story"
Hi all!
What is the difference between "tell a story" and "tell of a story"?
As far as I can tell, they both mean the same thing i.e. "tell a story". For example, if you say, "This book tells of a story about adventure on the high seas," you mean that the book tells the story, not that it provides a synopsis. Obviously, there's a difference in tone. You wouldn't say, for example, "Let me tell you of a story about the time I got really drunk and forgot where I parked my car." Or at least I wouldn't. But are there any other differences in nuance that I'm missing?
Thanks for your time.
What is the difference between "tell a story" and "tell of a story"?
As far as I can tell, they both mean the same thing i.e. "tell a story". For example, if you say, "This book tells of a story about adventure on the high seas," you mean that the book tells the story, not that it provides a synopsis. Obviously, there's a difference in tone. You wouldn't say, for example, "Let me tell you of a story about the time I got really drunk and forgot where I parked my car." Or at least I wouldn't. But are there any other differences in nuance that I'm missing?
Thanks for your time.
Top answer
I think of "of" as meaning "about". Maybe a "telling a story" is more set in stone and concrete, like a bedtime story. However, a story which has new things in it and can be embellished by the author might include "of".
- I think of "of" as meaning "about".
- Maybe a "telling a story" is more set in stone and concrete, like a bedtime story.
- However, a story which has new things in it and can be embellished by the author might include "of".
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2 Answers
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I think of "of" as meaning "about". Maybe a "telling a story" is more set in stone and concrete, like a bedtime story. However, a story which has new things in it and can be embellished by the author might include "of".
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