Tell Apart – Meaning and Examples
Have you ever looked at identical twins and couldn’t figure out who was who? Or tried to choose between two smartphones that looked almost the same? In English, if you can’t see the difference between two similar things or people, you might say, “I can’t tell them apart!” This practical phrasal verb means to recognize or distinguish one person or thing from another that is very similar.
What Does “Tell Apart” Mean?
“Tell apart” means to see or understand the difference between two (or more) similar people or things. Think of it like spotting the tiny details that make each one unique—like a freckle, a logo, or a sound. The phrase is almost always used in negative form (“I can’t tell them apart”) or with difficulty (“It’s hard to tell them apart”), because if it’s easy, you usually don’t need to say it!
When to Use It
Use this phrase in casual or neutral conversations when comparing look-alikes, similar products, sounds, or even ideas. It’s common when talking about twins, phone models, dog breeds, accents, or fonts. This phrasal verb is informal but widely understood—great for everyday English.
Example Sentences
- Those puppies are so cute—I can’t tell them apart!
- Can you tell apart British and Australian accents?
- The two job candidates were excellent. It was hard to tell them apart.
- After the redesign, I can’t tell the old app apart from the new one.
Mini Dialogue
Alex: “Which one is your brother?”
Jamie: “The one with the blue shirt. I know—they look alike, but I can always tell them apart!”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t use “tell apart” for things that are obviously different. It only applies when the similarity makes distinguishing difficult.
❌ Don’t say: “I can’t tell a cat apart from a dog.” (They’re very different!)
✅ Do say: “I can’t tell those two fonts apart—they look identical.”
Practice Tip
Next time you see two similar things—like matching mugs or twin actors—ask yourself: “Can I tell them apart?” Then try saying it out loud in English!
Final Note
Now you can use “tell apart” to talk about subtle differences with precision and curiosity! It’s a handy phrase for navigating a world full of look-alikes. Keep using it—and soon, you’ll spot the details that make each thing unique.