he told us

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he told us" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use "he told us" to introduce a statement or quote made by a male individual to a group of people. Example: "He told us to meet him at the park at 3 PM." (This sentence is describing a directive given by someone to a group of people.).

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

He told us that I got 120.

BBC

He told us: 'Well done!

Independent

He told us to wait.

The New York Times - Magazine

He told us he was".

The New York Times - Sports

He told us about U.F.O.

The New Yorker

He told us to.

The New Yorker

He told us not to worry.

The New York Times

"He told us not to go there".

The New York Times

"No spoilers," he told us firmly.

The New York Times

"He told us how good we were".

The New York Times - Sports

Everything he told us was a lie".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he told us", ensure the context clearly identifies who "he" refers to, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "he told us" when the source of the information is unclear or when it could be misinterpreted as someone else. Always ensure the context makes it obvious who "he" is.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he told us" functions as a reporting clause, introducing information that a male individual has communicated to a group including the speaker. It establishes the source of the information and provides context for the subsequent statement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

17%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he told us" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to report information shared by a male individual with a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across different contexts, especially in news and media. While generally neutral in register, the specific wording can influence formality. For clear communication, ensure the context makes it evident who "he" refers to. Consider alternatives like "he informed us" or "he let us know" to adjust the tone as needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he informed us

Replaces "told" with "informed", suggesting a more formal or official communication.

he let us know

Uses a more casual phrasing to indicate the sharing of information.

he communicated to us

Implies a deliberate act of conveying information, often in a formal setting.

he explained to us

Highlights that the information involved clarification or detailed description.

he mentioned to us

Emphasizes that the information was brought up in passing, rather than being the main topic.

he reported to us

Suggests a more official or structured form of information delivery.

he stated to us

Highlights that the information was given as a formal declaration or assertion.

he advised us

Indicates that the information was given as a recommendation or guidance.

he revealed to us

Suggests the disclosure of something previously unknown or secret.

he confided in us

Implies a personal and trusting relationship, where sensitive information is shared.

FAQs

What does "he told us" mean?

"He told us" indicates that a male person conveyed information to a group of people including the speaker. It's used to report speech or information that was directly communicated.

How can I rephrase "he told us" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "he informed us" or "he stated to us". These options provide a more professional sound.

What are some casual alternatives to "he told us"?

Casual alternatives include "he let us know" or "he mentioned to us", which are suitable for informal conversation.

Is it always necessary to specify who "he" is when using "he told us"?

Yes, clarity is key. Ensure the context makes it obvious who "he" refers to. If there's any ambiguity, explicitly state the person's name or title.