He told me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "He told me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to convey that someone has communicated information or a message to you. Example: "He told me that the meeting has been rescheduled for next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He told me anyway.

The New Yorker

"He told me no".

The New York Times

He told me that.

The New York Times

"He told me to".

The New York Times

He told me to wait.

The New York Times

"He told me about her.

The New Yorker

He told me, "The O.G.A".

The New Yorker

He told me, "It's true.

The New Yorker

He told me a story.

The New York Times

He told me he was.

Independent

"He told me, 'We won.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure by occasionally placing "He told me" mid-sentence or at the end for emphasis or to create a specific tone. For example: "That was the reason, he told me, for his decision."

Common error

Avoid using "He tells me" when recounting a past event. Use "He told me" to accurately reflect that the communication occurred in the past. The present tense is only appropriate when discussing habitual or ongoing communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "He told me" functions as a reporting clause, introducing information that was communicated by someone. It directly attributes information to a specific source. Ludwig confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "He told me" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to report information received from another person. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, ensure that the tense is correct (past tense for past events) and that the reference to "he" is clear to avoid ambiguity. Consider using alternatives like "He informed me" or "He let me know" for variety. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can effectively use "He told me" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

He informed me

Uses a more formal verb to describe the act of conveying information.

He let me know

Emphasizes the act of making someone aware of something.

He communicated to me

Highlights the process of conveying a message.

He mentioned to me

Indicates a casual or brief imparting of information.

He advised me

Suggests the provision of guidance or recommendations.

He explained to me

Focuses on the act of making something clear or understandable.

He revealed to me

Implies the disclosure of previously unknown information.

He shared with me

Indicates an exchange of information or experiences.

He confided in me

Implies a sharing of personal or private information.

He apprised me of

Uses a formal tone to indicate that information was shared.

FAQs

How can I use "He told me" in a sentence?

"He told me" is used to report what someone said to you. For example, "He told me to wait" or "He told me about her".

What are some alternatives to using "He told me"?

You can use alternatives like "He informed me", "He mentioned to me", or "He let me know depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "He tells me" instead of "He told me"?

"He tells me" is present tense and implies ongoing or repeated communication, while "He told me" is past tense and refers to a specific instance in the past. Use "He told me" when recounting a past event.

What's the difference between "He told me" and "He said to me"?

While similar, "He told me" is more direct and common. "He said to me" can sometimes sound slightly more formal or emphasize the act of speaking. In most cases, "He told me" is the preferred choice.