Collocation Dictionary

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Common collocations with tale in American Collocation

tale noun countable

US /teɪl/

sad

sad
sorry
tragic

It is a tragic tale of love and grief.

strange or unusual

extraordinary
strange

Strange tales are told about this awe-inspiring mountain.

upsetting or frightening

chilling
dark
harrowing

This is a chilling tale of suspense and betrayal surrounding the gruesome murders at a school.

funny

amusing
comic
funny
hilarious
humorous

It is a darkly humorous tale packed full of unexpected twists and turns.

exciting and interesting

fascinating
gripping

‘The Probability’ is a gripping tale of chance, fate, and gambling.

making you feel happy or sympathetic

heart-warming
touching

The film is a heart-warming tale of adventure and hope.

mysterious and attractive

enchanting
magical

This magical tale of friendship, kindness, and generosity is told using story-telling, music, and puppetry.

having a moral

cautionary
moral
morality

The last section includes several moral tales and fables.

old or traditional

ancient
classic
folk
traditional

She begins by retelling a traditional Japanese folk tale.

tell a tale

recount
relate
tell

A story-teller will recount traditional Indian tales with elephant themes.

invent a tale

make up
spin
weave

The author weaves a tale that is both engrossing and horrific.

read or write a tale

read
write

Carroll wrote a modern fairy tale that follows the adventures of a little girl called Alice.

put a tale in a particular time or place

set

Verne sets his tale in 1885.