English · Common Verbs

telling

/ˈtɛlɪŋ/

[/ˈtɛlɪŋ/]

present participle of tell

Beginnerverb

Definition

Present participle of 'tell': giving information in words, happening now.

Example

She is telling the children a bedtime story while their father washes the dinner plates.

She is telling the children a bedtime story while their father washes the dinner plates.

Etymology

From Old English 'tellan' (to relate) plus the '-ing' ending.

How & Where It’s Used

Used in continuous tenses; can also be an adjective meaning revealing.

Watch “present participle of tell” pronunciation on YouTube
verbirregularpresent

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