i told them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I told them" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a past action of informing or communicating something to a group of people. Example: "I told them about the changes in the schedule during the meeting yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So I told them".

The New York Times

I told them that".

The New York Times - Sports

I told them.

The New Yorker

"I told them no.

The New Yorker

"I told them, 'Wow!

The New Yorker

"Oh," I told them.

The New Yorker

I told them everything.

The New York Times

It's brutal, I told them.

The New York Times

'No,' I told them both.

The New Yorker

I told them, "It's whatever.

The New York Times

And I told them".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I told them", ensure the context clearly indicates what information was conveyed. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Ensure that "them" clearly refers to a specific group of people previously mentioned. Avoid using "I told them" if the audience is unclear, as it can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I told them" functions as a statement indicating a past action of communicating information to a specific group. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and readily usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I told them" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate a past act of communication. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. It's generally neutral and adaptable to various contexts. Common alternatives include "I informed them" and "I notified them". Usage patterns reveal its prevalence in News & Media. When using the phrase, clarity is key: ensure that "them" is clearly defined and that the information conveyed is specific.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I informed them

Formal alternative, emphasizes the act of providing information.

I notified them

Suggests a formal or official announcement.

I let them know

A more casual way of saying 'I told them'.

I advised them

Implies giving counsel or recommendations.

I communicated to them

Highlights the act of conveying a message.

I explained to them

Focuses on making something clear or understandable.

I mentioned to them

Suggests a brief or passing reference.

I reported to them

Implies conveying factual information or updates.

I shared with them

Highlights the act of distributing information among a group.

I revealed to them

Implies disclosing something previously unknown.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "I told them"?

You can use alternatives like "I informed them", "I notified them", or "I let them know" depending on the context.

How to use "I told them" in a sentence?

"I told them" is typically followed by what you communicated: "I told them the meeting was postponed" or "I told them about the new policy".

Is "I told to them" grammatically correct?

No, "I told to them" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "I told them". The preposition "to" is not needed after "told" when followed by a pronoun or noun referring to the recipient of the information.

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

"I told them" implies conveying information, while "I said to them" focuses on the act of speaking. For example, "I told them the news" conveys information, whereas "I said to them, 'Hello!'" indicates a greeting.