The phrase “I can’t tell” is commonly used when a person is unsure or unable to discern or differentiate something. It’s akin to saying, “I can’t determine” or “I’m unable to decide”.
Here are two examples in sentences:
Example 1:
Upon seeing the twins in the same outfits, John said, “I can’t tell who is who,” expressing his inability to distinguish between the two.
Example 2:
When asked about the secret ingredient in her special dish, Grandma replied, “I can’t tell,” implying she couldn’t disclose it.
Now, let’s see it in a conversational context:
Example 3:
Amy: Who do you think will win the match?
Jake: Honestly, both teams are playing well, so I can’t tell.
Example 4:
Maria: Is that a cat or a small dog in our neighbor’s window?
Sam: From this distance, I can’t tell.
So, the phrase “I can’t tell” is used when someone can’t make a distinction, a decision, or reveal information about something.