have told

USAGE SUMMARY

"have told" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb phrase that means to cause another person to know something by saying it. Example: I have told my mother about the party on Saturday.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have told them that.

Independent

I should have told them.

The New Yorker

You should have told me".

The New Yorker

They have told us that.

The Guardian

She might have told you.

The New Yorker

I wouldn't have told anybody".

The Guardian

I have told my truth".

The New York Times

"Other people have told me that.

Independent

Should I have told her why?

The New York Times - Magazine

But "they should have told everyone".

The New York Times - Sports

I couldn't have told you why.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have told", ensure the context clearly indicates to whom the information was conveyed. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "have told" without specifying who received the information. This can lead to ambiguity and confusion.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "have told" is as the present perfect tense of the verb "tell". It indicates an action of informing or communicating that was completed at some point in the past, with relevance to the present. This aligns with Ludwig's AI analysis, confirming its standard usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

24%

Books

21%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have told" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase indicating that information has been communicated in the past, with a present relevance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. While versatile, ensuring the recipient of the information is clear is key for effective communication. As exemplified by the numerous examples, "have told" spans across diverse fields, from news and media to scientific publications, solidifying its place as a fundamental component of effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have informed

Focuses on the action of formally or officially notifying someone about something.

have notified

Emphasizes the act of giving notice, often in an official or legal context.

have communicated

Highlights the broader act of conveying a message, which may not necessarily be a direct telling.

have revealed

Suggests uncovering something previously unknown or secret.

have disclosed

Implies making something known, often information that was previously private or confidential.

have recounted

Focuses on narrating or retelling a story or event.

have related

Similar to recounted, but can also refer to establishing a connection or relationship between things.

have conveyed

Highlights the act of transmitting a message or idea effectively.

have expressed

Emphasizes the act of showing or making known one's thoughts or feelings.

have imparted

Focuses on bestowing knowledge or wisdom upon someone.

FAQs

How to use "have told" in a sentence?

Use "have told" to indicate that you communicated something to someone in the past. For example, "I "have told" her about the meeting." It signifies a completed action of informing.

What can I say instead of "have told"?

You can use alternatives like "have informed", "have notified", or "have communicated" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "have told" or "had told"?

"Have told" is present perfect, indicating an action completed at an unspecified time in the past, while "had told" is past perfect, indicating an action completed before another point in the past. The choice depends on the timeline you're describing.

What's the difference between "have told" and "told"?

"Have told" emphasizes the present relevance or result of the past action, while "told" simply states the action occurred in the past without necessarily implying a current connection.