he told

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he told" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when reporting speech or conveying information that someone has communicated. Example: "He told me that he would arrive by noon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He told.

The New Yorker

"Congratulations," he told Melida.

The New Yorker

Then he told Seán.

The New Yorker

"Marmots," he told me.

The New Yorker

He told Apple yes.

The New Yorker

He told me anyway.

The New Yorker

"He told me no".

The New York Times

He told some stories.

The New Yorker

He told her yes.

The New York Times

"No," he told me.

The New Yorker

"Hoo!" he told me.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he told", ensure the context is clear regarding who "he" refers to, especially in longer passages with multiple characters. This avoids ambiguity and maintains clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "he told" in close proximity to other pronouns without clearly distinguishing who is speaking. This can lead to confusion and misinterpretation of the dialogue or narrative.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "he told" is to act as a reporting verb phrase. It introduces reported speech or narration, indicating that a male subject communicated something. Ludwig examples confirm its consistent use in conveying what someone has said or narrated.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he told" is a grammatically sound and very common construction used to report speech or convey information attributed to a male subject. Ludwig's analysis confirms its widespread use, particularly in News & Media. Alternatives such as "he stated" or "he informed" can be used to vary the phrasing, but "he told" remains a versatile and readily understood option. It's important to ensure clarity in identifying the speaker to avoid ambiguity. Overall, using the phrase is effective and appropriate in numerous contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he informed

Implies a more direct and possibly important communication of information.

he stated

This alternative provides a slightly more formal tone, emphasizing the declaration of information.

he reported

Used when conveying information, often in a professional or journalistic context.

he declared

Emphasizes a formal or official announcement.

he mentioned

This suggests a casual imparting of information, less formal than "he stated".

he communicated

A general term for conveying information, without specifying the tone.

he indicated

Suggests showing or pointing out something, either directly or indirectly.

he revealed

Suggests uncovering or making something known that was previously hidden.

he recounted

Focuses on narrating or relating a past event or series of events.

he advised

Specifically indicates giving guidance or recommendations.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "he told"?

You can use alternatives like "he stated", "he mentioned", or "he informed" depending on the context.

How to use "he told" in a sentence?

"He told" is used to report what someone said. For example, "He told me he was going to the store" or "He told the audience about his experiences."

Is it correct to say "he told to me"?

No, the correct usage is "he told me". The preposition "to" is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect in this context.

What's the difference between "he told" and "he said"?

"He said" is a more general term for reporting speech, while "he told" often implies conveying information or narrating something. Although similar, "he told" suggests a more detailed account than "he said".