he told us that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'he told us that' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to introduce the contents of a statement that someone has made. For example, "He told us that he needed our help on this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He told us that would change".

BBC

He told us that words have subtle and distinct meanings, textures, implications, intonations, flavors.

Princeton University

He told us that he came to this workshop because he loves to learn.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

He told us that he had never been properly recorded.

The Guardian

I can't remember why he told us that.

The Guardian

There he told us that the Popes lied.

The New Yorker

He told us that they did not sing for love.

The Guardian

"He told us that Britain was a dictatorship, too.

The Guardian

He told us that she had died, and invited us in.

The New Yorker

He told us that this was where Ibrahim and Princess Sara lived.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Then he told us that we could stay".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he told us that", ensure the pronoun clearly refers to a specific individual mentioned previously to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically sound, relying heavily on "he told us that" can make writing sound repetitive. Vary sentence structure by using alternatives such as indirect speech or rephrasing the information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he told us that" functions as a reporting clause, introducing reported speech or indirect discourse. It indicates that the speaker is relaying information they received from someone else. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he told us that" serves as a standard and versatile way to report information from another party. Grammatically sound and widely used, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is found across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, academic writing, and formal communications. While effective, consider alternatives to avoid repetition and tailor your language to the appropriate level of formality. Remember to ensure clear pronoun reference when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he informed us that

Emphasizes the act of formally conveying information.

he mentioned to us that

Suggests a brief or casual sharing of information.

he stated to us that

Implies a formal declaration or assertion.

he conveyed to us that

Focuses on the act of communicating a message.

he let us know that

Indicates the act of making something known.

he communicated to us that

Highlights the process of sharing information.

he advised us that

Implies giving a recommendation or counsel.

he reported to us that

Suggests a formal account of events.

he explained to us that

Focuses on making something understandable.

he assured us that

Indicates an attempt to remove doubt or worry.

FAQs

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

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "he informed us that", "he stated that", or "he conveyed that". These alternatives add a layer of professionalism to your writing.

What's the difference between "he told us that" and "he mentioned that"?

"He told us that" implies a more direct and intentional communication, while "he mentioned that" suggests a more casual or brief reference. Use "he mentioned that" when the information was shared incidentally.

Is it correct to use "he tells us that" instead of "he told us that"?

While both can be grammatically correct, "he told us that" refers to a past event, while "he tells us that" implies a present or ongoing situation. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the timing of the communication.

What are some alternatives to "he told us that" to avoid repetition?

To prevent repetition, vary your sentence structure and use alternatives like "he informed us that", "he explained that", or simply integrate the information into your narrative without direct attribution.