he confided that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he confided that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone is sharing private or secret information with another person, often in a context of trust. Example: "During our conversation, he confided that he was considering a major career change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

In January 1863, he confided that "Olmsted is in an unhappy, sick, sore mental state..

The New York Times

Roach was, by his standards, rather restrained — at one point, he confided that Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, had instructed him to "shut the fuck up".

The New Yorker

In Salam's first private e-mail to Diane, in October, he confided that, if the Mukhabarat found out about the blog, "I'd be pasta sauce".

The New Yorker

The closest Irving ever came to naming Ichabod B. Crane as his inspiration was when he confided that Ichabod was a composite drawn from several personal acquaintances.

The New York Times

Apologising in advance for "dissecting a butterfly", he confided that, to him, the story of a couple who can't live with or without each other flirted with tragedy.

The Guardian

He confided that Turkish Energy Minister Yildiz recently told the head the Azerbaijani State Oil Company, "Why do you want to ruin our relations with Russia?

The Guardian

So I trust he won't unleash the forces of hell if I reveal that he confided that at school, playground bullies –caring not a fig that he wasn't a Damien – bullied him over the 1970s horror film The Omen.

Independent

On the return journey he confided that: "We are just waiting for our religious leaders to issue a fatwa against the occupation and then we will fight the occupation.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

He bitterly confided that Nhu had tricked the army into imposing martial law and becoming his "puppet".

Wikipedia

In quiet moments he confides that it is the only American interest in Africa.

The Economist

He confides that he went on set only once during shooting.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he confided that" when you want to emphasize the private or sensitive nature of the information being shared. It suggests a level of trust and intimacy between the speaker and the listener.

Common error

Avoid using "he confided that" in highly formal or official reports where a more neutral term like "he stated that" or "he reported that" would be more appropriate. Overusing "he confided that" can make the writing sound overly dramatic or subjective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he confided that" functions as a reporting clause used to introduce information that someone has shared in a private or confidential manner. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. The phrase sets a tone of intimacy or trust in the communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Formal & Business

18%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he confided that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that introduces private or sensitive information. According to Ludwig AI, its use emphasizes the trust and intimacy involved in sharing the information. While versatile, it's best suited for narrative and descriptive writing, with more neutral alternatives preferred in formal contexts. It appears predominantly in news and media sources. Consider alternative phrases like "he revealed that" or "he disclosed that" to suit different tones and levels of formality. Remember to avoid overusing ""he confided that"" in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he revealed that

Emphasizes the act of making something known, potentially something previously hidden.

he disclosed that

Suggests the sharing of information that might have been confidential or private.

he admitted that

Implies acknowledging something, often something unfavorable or previously denied.

he confessed that

Suggests admitting to something wrong or secret with a sense of guilt or vulnerability.

he divulged that

Indicates the revealing of secret or private information, often reluctantly.

he shared that

A more general term for making information known, without necessarily implying secrecy.

he mentioned that

Simply states that he brought something up in conversation, without emphasis on secrecy.

he informed that

Suggests formally conveying information, often in a professional setting.

he let slip that

Indicates an unintentional revelation of information.

he let on that

Revealing a secret unintentionally or subtly.

FAQs

How to use "he confided that" in a sentence?

Use "he confided that" to introduce information that someone shared privately or secretly. For example, "During our private conversation, "he confided that" he was planning to resign".

What can I say instead of "he confided that"?

You can use alternatives like "he revealed that", "he disclosed that", or "he admitted that" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "he confided that" and "he stated that"?

"He confided that" implies sharing private information, while "he stated that" is a more neutral way of reporting information without suggesting it was private or secret.

When is it appropriate to use "he confided that" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "he confided that" in narrative or descriptive writing where you want to highlight the personal or sensitive nature of the information being shared. Avoid it in formal reports where neutrality is preferred.