as one told

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as one told" is not standard in written English and may be confusing.
It could be used in a context where you are referencing something that someone has previously said, but it is not commonly used. Example: "The story was intriguing, as one told of a great adventure that changed lives."

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Some officers reported that they never filed reports on their police work because, as one told the auditors, "nobody ever asked for them".

The New York Times

(This includes, as one told the New York Times recently, an apparent prohibition on celebrating the Dalai Lama's birthday).

Huffington Post

As one told New York magazine: "He was like a god.… He controlled my destiny".

The New Yorker

As one told the Guardian at the beginning of the week: "Our job is to protect the Iraqi people..

The Guardian

Doing so, as one told the book's authors, is "like leaving the party at 10 30 p.m". Graduation delayed often becomes graduation denied.

The New York Times

A 45-year-old who was told her lung age was normal was as likely to stop as one told her lung age was 65.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

"I was crying as each one told me to go," she said.

The New York Times

Plus, traffic will surely be insane, as one candidate told a local radio station.

Huffington Post

But perhaps, as he says, no one told him.

The New York Times - Sports

But one told as though it weren't.

HuffPost

But as guides, no one tells you what to do.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as one told", ensure the context clearly indicates who "one" refers to, even if it's intentionally vague. It is often used to protect the identity of the speaker.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "as one told" without any prior or subsequent clarification, as it can make your writing seem evasive or unclear. If possible, provide some context or hint about the individual to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as one told" functions as an attribution phrase, introducing information or a quote from an unspecified individual. It's primarily used to cite a source without revealing their identity, common in journalistic contexts, or to generalize a sentiment. The examples provided by Ludwig show its use across various media and news reports.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as one told" is a common construction used to attribute information to an unnamed source, often in journalistic or reporting contexts. While generally acceptable, it's essential to ensure clarity and provide context to avoid vagueness. Ludwig AI describes it as 'not standard in written English and may be confusing'. Alternatives like "as someone stated" or "according to someone" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Its prevalence in news and media highlights its usefulness in maintaining source anonymity while conveying important information. Understanding its register and potential for vagueness helps writers use it effectively and appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as someone stated

Replaces "one" with "someone", making it slightly more general and less formal.

one person noted

Substitutes "told" with "noted" for a slightly different emphasis on the act of communication.

as a person mentioned

Similar to "as someone stated" but uses "person" instead of "one" for slightly different nuance.

according to someone

Shifts the focus to the information's source, highlighting its reliability.

in someone's words

Emphasizes that the following information is a direct quote or a close paraphrase.

as an individual reported

A more formal alternative, using "individual" and "reported" for added gravity.

someone indicated that

Uses "indicated" to imply a less direct or explicit statement.

if we are to believe someone

Adds a conditional aspect, suggesting the information might not be entirely certain.

according to an unnamed source

Highlights the anonymity of the source, often used in journalism.

it was mentioned that

A passive construction that de-emphasizes the source of information.

FAQs

How can I use "as one told" in a sentence?

Use "as one told" to introduce a statement or piece of information attributed to an unspecified individual. For example, "The project faced numerous setbacks, as one told the team during the meeting".

What are some alternatives to "as one told"?

Alternatives include "as someone stated", "according to someone", or "in someone's words" depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "as one told" formal or informal?

The phrase "as one told" is generally considered neutral, but can lean towards slightly informal, especially when used to maintain anonymity. More formal alternatives include "according to an unnamed source" or "as an individual reported".

What's the difference between "as one told" and "as someone said"?

While both attribute a statement to an unspecified person, "as one told" can imply a more direct and personal communication. "As someone said" is a more generic attribution to general opinion or comments. The phrase "as one told" might be preferable when you want to suggest some inside information, or privileged communication.