Word Use Question (Of vs About)

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QiaoZiJian

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Hey, everyone.

I'm just curious if there's a difference between these two phrases:

"Tell no one of this."
"Tell no-one about this."

To me, to speak "of" something is to mention it in less detail than when speaking "about" something...But my logic is always in question.

It's sort of minor, but it has to do with a list of rules in a WIP.
 

ishtar'sgate

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Hey, everyone.

I'm just curious if there's a difference between these two phrases:

"Tell no one of this."
"Tell no-one about this."

To me, to speak "of" something is to mention it in less detail than when speaking "about" something...But my logic is always in question.

It's sort of minor, but it has to do with a list of rules in a WIP.
Don't think there's much actual difference but the first one has a more succinct and formal feel.
 

shaldna

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Did you intend for the difference in no one no-one?

Other than that, there's no real difference in terms of context.
 

Lady Ice

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Second is more casual and sounds more natural.
 

nutbird

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I agree - the only real difference is in the feel.
 

bonitakale

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Me, I'd say, "Don't tell anyone about this," but that's less formal than either of the first one (of which, the one with 'of' is more formal--more, "I didn't grow up speaking English.")
 
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