tell
verb (used with object)
to give an account or narrative of; narrate; relate (a story, tale, etc.).
has been telling
-
present perfect progressiveof tell (3rd person singular).present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Kiki’s Delivery Service” has been telling us that since the very first time we saw it, and in new ways with each repeat viewing.
From Salon ● Jul. 30, 2026
The city has been telling people to monitor for symptoms and seek medical care, including testing, if symptomatic.
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
While their rooftop venue does have televisions downstairs, Terranova has been telling attendees there aren’t any.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026
Tesla has been telling customers for roughly a decade that all of its vehicles have the capability to be self-driving.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 23, 2026
“Totally! I can’t wait to explore Bushwick. Your sister has been telling us all about it,” Ainsley says.
From "Pride" by Ibi Zoboi
