as told to

USAGE SUMMARY

"as told to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that the information given was relayed by someone else. For example: The story of the daring rescue was as told to me by the boy's father.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

–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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

-As told to Quentin Hardy.

Forbes

-As told to, and edited by, Victoria Barret.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as told to" when you want to clearly indicate that you are relaying someone else's direct experiences or perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "as told to" if you are paraphrasing or summarizing information from a source. Use it primarily for direct quotes or personal narratives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as told to" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces or clarifies the source of information in a narrative. It attributes the following content to a specific person who related the information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as told to" is a common prepositional phrase used to attribute information, narratives, or direct quotes to a specific source. As Ludwig AI confirmed, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in journalism and narrative writing. It serves to authenticate and personalize stories by clearly identifying the individual who provided the information. Its neutral to professional register makes it suitable for various contexts where accurate attribution is essential. While "as told to" is valuable for conveying information directly from a source, it's important to use it accurately to maintain credibility and avoid misattribution. Related phrases like "according to" and "in the words of" can offer alternative ways to attribute information depending on the desired tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

according to

This phrase is a direct and neutral way of attributing information to a source.

in the words of

This phrase is used to emphasize that you are using the exact words of the source.

if you ask

This phrase is used to emphasize that you are using the exact words of the source.

as reported by

This phrase is typically used in journalistic contexts to cite a news outlet.

speaking with

This option is slightly more conversational, implying a personal interaction.

interviewing

This option is slightly more conversational, implying a personal interaction.

quoting

This phrase introduces a direct quotation from the source.

relayed by

This phrase emphasizes the act of passing information from one person to another.

narrated by

This phrase emphasizes the act of passing information from one person to another.

from the perspective of

This phrase highlights that the information is influenced by the source's viewpoint.

FAQs

How do I use "as told to" in a sentence?

Use "as told to" to introduce a narrative or quote directly attributed to someone. For example, "The story, "as told to" me by my grandfather, was truly fascinating."

What's a more formal alternative to "as told to"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "according to" or "in the words of" to attribute information to a source.

When should I avoid using "as told to"?

Avoid using "as told to" if you are not directly quoting or relaying a personal narrative from the source. If you are summarizing information, use phrases like "according to" or "based on".

Is it necessary to always specify who the story was 'told to'?

Yes, for clarity and proper attribution, it's best practice to specify who the information was ""as told to"." This clarifies the chain of communication.