I told them

USAGE SUMMARY

It is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to describe that you communicated something to someone else. For example: "I told them that the meeting had been postponed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So I told them".

The New York Times

I told them that".

The New York Times - Sports

I told them.

The New Yorker

"I told them no.

The New Yorker

"I told them, 'Wow!

The New Yorker

"Oh," I told them.

The New Yorker

I told them everything.

The New York Times

It's brutal, I told them.

The New York Times

'No,' I told them both.

The New Yorker

I told them, "It's whatever.

The New York Times

And I told them".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your phrasing by sometimes using synonyms like "I informed them" or "I let them know" to improve the flow of your writing.

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of "I told them" in close proximity. Use synonyms and vary sentence structure to maintain reader engagement and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I told them" functions as a reporting verb construction. It indicates that the speaker conveyed information, instructions, or their thoughts to a group of people. Ludwig shows various examples of its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I told them" is a very common and grammatically sound phrase used to report a past communication. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, most notably in news and media. While perfectly acceptable, diversifying your writing by occasionally using synonyms like "I informed them" or "I let them know" can enhance the flow and avoid repetition. Be mindful of the context to ensure the appropriate level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I informed them

Similar in conveying information, but suggests a more formal or official notification.

I let them know

More casual way of saying 'I informed them'.

I advised them

Suggests offering guidance or a recommendation.

I communicated to them

Implies a broader exchange of information.

I explained to them

Highlights the clarification of something.

I mentioned to them

Suggests a brief or casual reference.

I notified them

Implies an official or formal announcement.

I revealed to them

Indicates the disclosure of something previously unknown.

I confessed to them

Suggests admitting something, often something negative.

I reported to them

Suggests conveying information as part of a duty or responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "I told them" in a sentence?

Use "I told them" to report something you communicated to a group of people. For example: "I told them the meeting was cancelled".

What's a more formal alternative to "I told them"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "I informed them" or "I notified them".

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

"I told them" implies conveying information or instructions. "I said to them" is a more general statement of speaking, which can be followed by a direct quote or indirect reporting. For example: "I said to them, 'The meeting is cancelled'".

Is it okay to start a sentence with "I told them"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "I told them", especially when recounting a conversation or reporting information.