"tell apart" vs "tell from" May I use the following phrasal verbs interchangeably when I talk about the ability to see or realize the difference between two things or two persons? tell sth/sb from sth/sb tell sb/sth apart For example, will these sentences have completely the same meanings? Will they sound natural? 1a The twins looked so alike that only their parents could tell them apart. 1b The twins looked so alike that only their parents could tell one from another. 2a The two types of mushroom are very similar and it's difficult to tell one from the other. 2b The two types of mushroom are very similar and it's difficult to tell them apart. 3a It is expected that by this age most children will be able to tell right from wrong. 3b It is expected that by this age most children will be able to tell right and wrong apart.