he told him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he told him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when reporting speech or conveying information that one person communicated to another. Example: "After the meeting, he told him about the new project deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Never mind," he told him.

The New Yorker

He told him it was going fine.

The New York Times

"I'll be all right," he told him.

The New York Times

"You're an artist," he told him.

The New Yorker

"You don't understand," he told him.

The New Yorker

"Finished," he told him.

The Guardian - Film

He told him the price.

The New Yorker

"Hats off," he told him.

The New York Times

"Stay here," he told him.

The Guardian

'Jump Roger, jump,' he told him.

The Washington Post

He said he told him of the sexual assault.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he told him", ensure that the context clearly establishes who "he" and "him" refer to, to avoid ambiguity. If the context is unclear, rephrase to use the names of the individuals involved.

Common error

Avoid using "he told him" in situations where the speaker and listener are not immediately clear from the preceding sentences. This can lead to confusion and require the reader to backtrack to understand the communication flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he told him" functions as a reporting clause, specifically used to relay information or dialogue from one male individual to another. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he told him" is a grammatically sound and exceedingly common phrase used to report direct or indirect speech between two male individuals. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is correct and frequent, especially in news and media contexts. To ensure clarity, especially in longer narratives, pay close attention to ensure that the references of "he" and "him" are unambiguous. Alternatives such as "he informed him" or "he mentioned to him" can be used depending on the desired nuance. While the phrase itself is neutral, adapt your language depending on whether the communication setting is professional, formal, or informal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he informed him

Emphasizes the act of providing information, often in a more formal context.

he advised him

Implies giving counsel or guidance.

he let him know

A more casual way of saying he communicated something.

he communicated to him

Highlights the act of conveying a message.

he mentioned to him

Suggests a brief or casual reference.

he disclosed to him

Implies revealing something previously unknown.

he recounted to him

Focuses on narrating a series of events.

he explained to him

Highlights the act of making something clear or understandable.

he revealed to him

Implies making something known that was previously secret or hidden.

he confessed to him

Suggests admitting something, often something negative.

FAQs

How can I use "he told him" in a sentence?

The phrase "he told him" is used to report what one male person said to another. For example: "After the meeting, "he told him" about the new project deadlines."

What are some alternatives to "he told him"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "he informed him", "he advised him", or "he let him know" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it always clear who "he" and "him" refer to when using "he told him"?

No, it's crucial to ensure the context makes it clear who the speaker ("he") and the listener ("him") are. If there's any ambiguity, use names or more specific descriptions.

What's the difference between "he told him" and "he informed him"?

"He told him" is a general way of saying that one person communicated something to another, while "he informed him" suggests a more formal or important communication. For example, a manager might "he informed him" of a policy change.