Told me that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Told me that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when reporting what someone has communicated to you, often in indirect speech. Example: "She told me that she would be late to the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I failed," Kamal told me that day.

The Guardian

They told me that hours ago".

The New Yorker

You've told me that was the case.

The New York Times

And she told me that might happen".

Critical Care

"They told me that".

The New York Times

He told me that.

The New York Times

You told me that already.

The New Yorker

My mother told me that.

The New Yorker

"You already told me that".

The New Yorker

"Nobody's ever told me that".

The New Yorker

Mom never told me that.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Told me that" when relaying information received directly from someone else. It's suitable for both informal conversations and formal reporting.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid overusing "Told me that" in highly formal documents. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives such as "Informed" or "Stated" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Told me that" functions as a reporting clause, introducing information or statements conveyed by someone. It is a common way to relay direct or indirect speech, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Told me that" is a versatile phrase used to report information received from someone else. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, spanning across various contexts from news reporting to scientific discussions. While generally acceptable, it's important to consider the level of formality required for your writing. In more formal settings, alternatives like "Informed" or "Stated" might be more appropriate. Be mindful of overuse and choose the best synonym for the specific message and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Said to me that

A more direct and literal way of reporting speech.

Informed me that

Implies a more formal or official communication.

Related to me that

Suggests the sharing of a story or narrative.

Stated to me that

Implies a formal declaration or assertion.

Communicated to me that

Highlights the act of conveying information.

Mentioned to me that

Indicates a brief or casual reference.

Reiterated to me that

Emphasizes a repeated message.

Advised me that

Suggests the giving of counsel or recommendations.

Disclosed to me that

Suggests the revelation of something previously unknown.

Confided in me that

Implies a sharing of secrets or private information.

FAQs

How can I use "Told me that" in a sentence?

You can use "Told me that" to report something someone communicated to you. For example, "She "told me that" she would be late."

What are some alternatives to "Told me that"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "informed me that", "said to me that", or "related to me that".

Is it always necessary to include "that" after "Told me"?

While grammatically correct, the "that" is often omitted in informal speech and writing. For example, both "She "told me that" she was coming" and "She told me she was coming" are acceptable.

Can "Told me that" be used in formal writing?

Yes, but use it sparingly. In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "stated that" or "indicated that" for a more professional tone.