as told

USAGE SUMMARY

"as told" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are relating something that someone said to you. For example: "My grandmother always used to warn me about being careful, as told to me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"And they usually do as told".

The New York Times - Magazine

And they do exactly as told.

The New York Times - Books

–As told to Kym McNicholas.

Forbes

–As told to Adriana Loeff in 2008.

Forbes

–As told to Katy Finneran in 2010.

Forbes

–As told to, and edited by, Brian Caulfield.

Forbes

As told to Seth Kugel.

The New York Times

As told to Austin Considine.

The New York Times

As told to Xiyun Yang.

The New York Times

As told to Abby Ellin.

The New York Times

As told to Sian Elvin.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as told", ensure the context clearly indicates who is speaking to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "as told" if you're not directly quoting or paraphrasing a specific person. It implies a personal communication, so ensure accuracy in attributing the information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as told" functions as an attributive phrase, indicating that the information or narrative being presented comes directly from a specific source. Ludwig identifies numerous examples of this usage in news articles and personal accounts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as told" is a commonly used phrase to attribute information directly to a source, frequently found in news and media. Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness, while suggesting that more formal alternatives may be appropriate for academic writing. When using "as told", ensure clear attribution and context to maintain accuracy and avoid misinterpretation. It is a great way to add a personal touch and authenticity to your writing when used correctly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

according to

This alternative emphasizes the source of the information being presented.

as stated by

This alternative focuses on a formal declaration or assertion.

as reported by

This alternative focuses on the act of reporting and the medium through which the information was conveyed.

attributed to

This alternative is used when the source of the information is identified.

in the words of

This alternative highlights that the information is a direct quote from someone.

based on the account of

This alternative indicates that the information is derived from someone's description of events.

from the perspective of

This alternative emphasizes the subjective viewpoint of the narrative.

narrated by

This alternative indicates that someone is recounting events or experiences.

recounted by

This alternative suggests a retelling of events, often from memory.

as per

This alternative suggests following instructions or information as provided.

FAQs

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

Use "as told" to introduce information directly from a source, such as "The story, as told to me by my grandfather, began long ago".

What's a more formal way to say "as told"?

More formal alternatives to "as told" include "according to" or "as stated by", suitable for academic or business writing.

Is it okay to use "as told" in academic writing?

While acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "according to" or "based on the account of" for enhanced credibility.

What's the difference between "as told" and "as reported"?

"As told" implies a direct, personal communication from someone, while "as reported by" suggests information conveyed through a media source.