i told that

USAGE SUMMARY

"I told that" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used as part of a statement, as in, "I told that I would be ready by 6pm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

I told that story forever.

The New York Times - Arts

I told that story here.

Stanford University

I told that story here and here.

The New York Times

"I spoke at his eightieth-birthday party, and I told that story," Zuckerman recalled.

The New Yorker

"I told that boy he was not strong enough to ride that horse," Troxler said.

The New York Times

"When I told that story my voice was trembling, I was so nervous," he recalled.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

How would I tell that?

The Guardian - Music

I tell that story for a few reasons.

The New York Times

"I tell that story a lot.

The New York Times

I tell that anecdote for a couple of reasons.

The Washington Post

I tell that story in the app.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I told that", ensure the context clearly indicates who you are speaking to and that the information you conveyed is precise and easily understood.

Common error

Ensure that the context following "I told that" directly relates to the information you conveyed. Avoid vague or ambiguous language that could confuse the recipient.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I told that" functions as a reporting clause, introducing information or a statement that the speaker has conveyed. It connects the speaker to the content of their message. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct and frequent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I told that" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to introduce a statement that the speaker conveyed to someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to report or recount information. It is suitable for a neutral register and commonly found in news, academic, and business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in specifying the recipient and the information conveyed. While other phrases like "I mentioned that" or "I stated that" can be used as alternatives, "I told that" remains a versatile and direct way to report a past communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I mentioned that

Replaces "told" with "mentioned", softening the emphasis on the act of conveying information.

I stated that

Substitutes "told" with "stated", adding a slightly more formal tone to the declaration.

I informed them that

Specifies the recipient of the information and replaces "told" with "informed", increasing formality.

I let them know that

Uses a more casual phrasing to convey the act of informing someone.

I communicated that

Replaces "told" with "communicated", emphasizing the transfer of information.

I conveyed that

Similar to "communicated", but perhaps implying a slightly more indirect method of sharing information.

I explained that

Indicates that the information shared involved some level of clarification or detail.

I advised that

Suggests the speaker offered guidance or a recommendation along with the information.

I pointed out that

Highlights that the speaker drew attention to a specific fact or detail.

I reported that

Implies the information was shared as part of a formal account or record.

FAQs

How can I use "I told that" in a sentence?

You can use "I told that" to introduce a statement you made, as in, "I told that the meeting was postponed".

What's a more formal way to say "I told that"?

For a more formal tone, you could use alternatives such as "I stated that" or "I informed them that".

Is it correct to say "I had told that"?

While grammatically possible, "I had told that" is less common. "I told that" generally suffices to convey the information you previously shared.

What's the difference between "I said that" and "I told that"?

"I said that" is a general statement, while "I told that" implies you conveyed the information to a specific person or group. Use "I said that" when the recipient is not the main focus.