I told off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I told off" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of reprimanding or scolding someone for their behavior. Example: "After the meeting, I told off my colleague for interrupting me repeatedly during my presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

LONDON — A couple of years ago, after a reading in Karachi, I told off a young man who was asking me to sign a pirated copy of one of my books.

The New York Times

MARCIA RITZ Via email We like the idea that as the mushroom clouds rise in the distance and the entire continent slides into the sea, one girl will be saying to herself, "Well, at least I told off that magazine for having a fashion spread".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I got told off, because I contacted someone in America who had the same name as me, and I got my whole class to write to her.

The Guardian

"When I got home, I was told off," Captain Kamanaka says.

The New York Times - Arts

"There are many occasions I get told off like I am 12 years old," she said, with a laugh.

The New York Times

'If I get told off in a shop, I feel about seven.' I can't imagine her being told off anywhere.

The Guardian - Books

I only started because I got told off: "Sov, you can't wear sunglasses in the Big Brother house".

The Guardian - Music

She continued: "I was told off by [one judge], I felt so humiliated.

The Guardian

"I got told off for speeding in my first lesson because I got something wrong," Hull says.

BBC

"I was told off by my mum," Youngs admits.

Independent

And I was told off for swearing on Twitter.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I told off" to convey a direct and personal act of reprimanding someone. It's suitable for informal to neutral contexts, where you want to emphasize your role in addressing someone's misbehavior or mistake.

Common error

Avoid using "I told off" in highly formal or professional settings. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "I reprimanded" or "I addressed the issue with" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I told off" functions as a verb phrase expressing an action performed by the speaker. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples show it in narratives where the speaker is describing a past event.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I told off" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe the act of reprimanding or scolding someone. Ludwig confirms its usability, especially in informal and neutral contexts such as news articles or personal stories. While it's appropriate for conveying a direct and personal action, it's advisable to choose more formal alternatives like "I reprimanded" in professional settings. The phrase primarily functions as a verb phrase and serves to communicate the speaker's act of correcting or disapproving of someone's behavior.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I reprimanded

More formal alternative, implying a serious rebuke.

I scolded

Suggests a milder form of disapproval.

I dressed down

Informal, indicating a severe scolding.

I rebuked

A more formal and forceful way of expressing disapproval.

I gave a talking-to

Suggests a stern but not necessarily angry lecture.

I chastised

Implies a correction, often with good intentions.

I admonished

Similar to chastised, but emphasizes warning someone about their behavior.

I berated

Implies a prolonged and critical scolding.

I laid into

Informal, suggests a strong verbal attack.

I ripped into

Informal, suggests a very harsh and angry scolding.

FAQs

What does "I told off" mean?

The phrase "I told off" means to scold or reprimand someone, typically for something they have done wrong. It implies a direct and personal act of addressing someone's misbehavior.

When is it appropriate to use "I told off"?

It's appropriate in informal to neutral contexts when you want to emphasize your role in addressing someone's mistake. In more formal settings, consider alternatives like "I reprimanded".

Are there more formal alternatives to "I told off"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "I reprimanded", "I rebuked", or "I chastised" for a more formal tone.

Is "I told off" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I told off" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English. However, be mindful of the context and choose a more formal alternative if needed.