it would be told

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it would be told" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is expected or anticipated to be communicated or narrated in the future. Example: "In the end, it would be told that the hero's journey was one of great sacrifice and bravery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

If a great white shark swam by, it would be told to move on.

The New Yorker

[Screenwriter Lucinda Coxon] and I did work on a draft where we were trying to fit the script more in terms of how it would be told today.

Huffington Post

The writers stated that Rousseau would be in the fifth season, and her story would be told, but to say that it would be told through a flashback would be "disingenuous".

Wikipedia

We all have the freedom to interpret that a narrative, for example, on Black unemployment will be told by progressive activist Van Jones differently than it would be told be right-wing mouthpiece Armstrong Williams.

Huffington Post

(The basic trend was that whenever SIGTARP evinced concern, it would be told that these programs were a work in progress and their concerns would be taken into account, and then a day later, the programs were suddenly being rolled out for media consumption).

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It would be telling if no one takes her up on that offer.

The New York Times

If I had to pick three things to say, it would be: "Tell me what's helpful and what's not.

The New York Times

It would be telling the country's creditors that they would have to take a "haircut" in order to make Greece's debts sustainable.

The Guardian - Business

For example, it would be telling if pairing an auditory condition (random sound tracks) with visual or kinesthetic training (action observation or action performance) leads to increased AON activity after paired training.

Cerebral Cortex

If it wasn't for them, I would be telling a different story today".

Unicef

No rice, no veg (no need to order anything with it, I'd been told), no nuffink.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it would be told" when you want to emphasize the hypothetical or conditional nature of a future narrative, often implying a sense of inevitability or predetermination.

Common error

Avoid relying excessively on passive constructions like "it would be told". Consider active voice alternatives (e.g., "someone will tell the story") for more direct and engaging writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it would be told" functions as a passive construction indicating a future narration or communication. As Ludwig AI highlights, this structure projects a future event dependent on certain conditions. This construction is a form of future-in-the-past tense.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it would be told" functions as a passive construction in the future-in-the-past tense, often used to indicate a hypothetical or conditional future narrative. As Ludwig AI confirms, this grammatical structure is correct, albeit not overly common. Its usage spans various contexts, including news, media, and formal business settings, but it's less prevalent in scientific or academic writing. When writing, aim to use this phrase to emphasize the conditional nature of a future narrative, but be mindful of the potential for overuse of passive voice and consider active alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it will be narrated

Changes the tense from conditional to future, emphasizing a definite future action of narration.

it will be communicated

Focuses on the act of conveying information rather than a story or narrative.

it will be disclosed

Emphasizes the revelation of previously unknown information.

the story will unfold

Replaces the passive voice with a more active and narrative-driven expression.

it is going to be said

Uses a more informal future tense to express the act of telling.

the account will be given

Formal alternative that focuses on providing a detailed report or explanation.

it shall be recounted

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying it will be told.

the word will spread

Focuses on the dissemination of information, often quickly and widely.

it's going to come out

An informal expression suggesting information will eventually be revealed, perhaps unintentionally.

the details will emerge

Suggests a gradual revealing of information over time.

FAQs

How can I use "it would be told" in a sentence?

You can use "it would be told" to describe a future narrative or account that is expected to occur. For example, "If they succeeded, "it would be told" that they had overcome impossible odds".

What phrases are similar to "it would be told"?

Similar phrases include "it will be narrated", "it will be communicated", or "the story will unfold", each carrying a slightly different nuance related to the communication or revelation of information.

Is "it would be told" formal or informal?

The formality of "it would be told" depends on the context, but it tends to lean towards a neutral to slightly formal register. More informal alternatives might include "it's going to come out".

What's the difference between "it would be told" and "it will be told"?

"It would be told" implies a conditional or hypothetical scenario, while "it will be told" suggests a more certain future event. The former often depends on certain conditions being met, whereas the latter expresses a straightforward expectation.