i sent him a message

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I sent him a message" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that you have communicated with someone via a message in the past. Example: "After the meeting, I sent him a message to clarify the next steps."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

I sent him a message".

The New York Times

One night, two years ago, I found an e-mail address for him online, and I sent him a message.

The New Yorker

He was cute, so I sent him a message back as a lark.

The Guardian - Tech

"I just sat and listened, and he asked, 'What do you think?' And I sent him a message saying what I thought," Mr. Hohlt says.

The New York Times

"She suggested I sent Ferguson a text message to see if he was willing to talk so I sent him a message asking if I could call and he replied to say 'OK, call me at this date and time'.

Independent

"I sent him a message just to thank him, as he had previously wished me a happy birthday, letting him know how much it meant considering the circumstances," she said.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

I send him a message on his birthday, but neither of us has made overtures to come closer to the other.

The New York Times

I sent him a Facebook message.

The Guardian - Books

Instead I sent him a private message: "I hope that night has haunted you.

The New York Times

"I sent him a text message saying that he has been the best goalkeeper of the tournament", he said.

Independent

When he got his England call-up, I sent him a video message and he texted me back.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure by placing time-related context at the beginning for improved flow. Instead of saying “I sent him a message yesterday,” consider saying “Yesterday, I sent him a message.”

Common error

Avoid using slang or overly casual language when the context requires a professional or formal tone. For instance, in a business email, "i sent him a message" is appropriate, but "i hit him up" would not be.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i sent him a message" functions as a statement conveying that the speaker has communicated with another person. Ludwig confirms this is grammatically correct and widely used. It specifies the action of sending a message, without focusing on the content of that message.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "i sent him a message" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to communicate that you've been in contact with someone. Ludwig confirms its correctness and common usage, primarily in news and media contexts. While versatile, specifying the medium (e.g., "i texted him") can enhance clarity. When writing, bear in mind that other ways of saying this, such as 'i communicated with him', could be more appropriate in formal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i messaged him

A more concise and informal way to say the same thing. This is common in digital communication contexts.

i texted him

Specifies the medium of communication as a text message.

i emailed him

Specifies the medium of communication as an email.

i wrote to him

A more formal and general way to indicate written communication.

i contacted him

A broader term that doesn't specify the method of communication.

i reached out to him

Highlights the effort made to initiate communication.

i got in touch with him

Implies establishing communication after a period of no contact.

i communicated with him

A formal and neutral way to describe the act of conveying a message.

i dropped him a line

An informal and idiomatic way to say you sent a brief message.

i gave him a call

Indicates a phone conversation instead of a written message.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "i sent him a message"?

In a formal setting, you could say "i communicated with him" or "i contacted him" to maintain a professional tone.

How can I specify the type of message I sent?

To be more specific, you can say "i texted him", "i emailed him", or "i sent him a letter", depending on the medium used.

Is "i sent him a message" appropriate for all situations?

While generally acceptable, consider your audience and the context. In very formal settings, a more precise or professional alternative might be preferable, like "i sent him an email".

What's the difference between "i sent him a message" and "i left him a message"?

"I sent him a message" implies that the message was successfully transmitted and received, while "i left him a message" suggests that the message may not have been directly received (e.g. leaving a voicemail).