Tell about/help

Tell about/help
Message from littlebluebee posted on 17-05-2015 at 12:06:34 (D | E | F)
Hello,
Could you help me, please?
I have always been taught that the verb TELL (in the sense of "communicate information") can be used only if we mention those who are being informed unless we deal with the idioms "tell a story", "tell the truth" or "tell lies".
However I've just come across several sentences like: "We will tell about financial aid." (on this very site), "He could think one thing, and tell another." (in my dictionary), "She likes to tell about her family." (this is the one that worries me most).
All of them lack the indication of whom the information is being given. Are all of them correct? Could we replace the verb 'tell' in them by another verb (speak? talk? say?)? Is there a rule or are these just idioms to remember (if so, could you please think of some more of these?)?
I'd appreciate your help. Thank you for any reply.

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Edited by lucile83 on 17-05-2015 14:31

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Re: Tell about/help from violet91, posted on 17-05-2015 at 12:38:30 (D | E)
Hello ,
1 ) First , you will use 'to tell' in reported speech , indirect speech unlike to say ( direct speech or 'recite' ).
2 ) To tell = to narrate ( a tale , a story , an event ) ; to speak about ...as a favourite subject of conversation , for instance ...; to inform , give you some more details about ...
Hope this helps .
Have a lovely day , I say !

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