I told

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I told" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something you communicated or informed someone about in the past. Example: "I told you about the meeting last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"O.K.," I told myself.

The New York Times

I told Vince.

The New York Times

"I told her everything!

The New Yorker

I told Jim's story.

The New York Times

"Rocket," I told him.

The New Yorker

So I told them".

The New York Times

I told them that".

The New York Times - Sports

I told her jokes.

The New Yorker

I told her no.

The New York Times - Magazine

I told them.

The New Yorker

I told Boulud.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I told", ensure the context clearly indicates to whom you are referring. Be specific when possible to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "I told" when a more specific verb like "explained", "informed", or "warned" would more accurately reflect the nature of the communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I told" functions as an independent clause, typically used to report a past act of communication. As demonstrated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is employed to convey that the speaker imparted information or made a statement to someone.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I told" is a grammatically sound and very common construction used to report a past act of communication. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase functions as an independent clause and serves the purpose of conveying that the speaker imparted information or made a statement to someone else. While its register is generally neutral, it's crucial to consider the context to avoid potential ambiguity, especially when a more descriptive verb could enhance clarity. Remember, specificity in communication is key. Finally, be aware of alternative phrases such as "I said", "I mentioned", or "I informed" which can provide more nuance depending on the specific communication scenario.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I said

A more general way of reporting speech, lacking the implication of informing.

I let them know

An informal way of saying "I told" that can mean informing somebody of something.

I mentioned

Suggests a brief or casual communication.

I informed

More formal and emphasizes the act of imparting knowledge.

I explained

Indicates a more detailed and thorough communication.

I communicated

A broader term that encompasses various methods of conveying information.

I advised

Suggests giving a recommendation or counsel.

I notified

Implies a formal announcement or warning.

I revealed

Suggests uncovering or disclosing something previously hidden.

I recounted

Indicates telling a story or narrating an event.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "I told"?

You can use alternatives like "I said", "I mentioned", or "I informed" depending on the context.

How to use "I told" in a sentence?

Use "I told" followed by the person you communicated with and the message you conveyed. For example, "I told her the truth", or "I told them about the meeting".

Is "I told him that" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I told him that" is grammatically correct. It's a common way to report that you communicated something to someone.

What's the difference between "I told" and "I said"?

"I told" implies informing someone of something, while "I said" is a more general term for reporting speech without necessarily implying the imparting of information.