kind of told

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kind of told" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a vague or uncertain manner of conveying information or a message. Example: "He kind of told me that he wasn't coming to the party, but I wasn't sure if he meant it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

He always kind of told stories, somewhat exaggerated.

The Guardian - Film

"He kind of told me what to expect".

The New York Times

So my mother kind of told me, "You can get the job done".

The New York Times

"He kind of told me it was something I would have to deal with.

The New Yorker

"That kind of told me what was going on out there for me," Woods said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Ronen just kind of told us he was doing this," his mother had said earlier, over the phone.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

"You could kind of tell he was trying to make a statement there," guard Eric Winston said.

The New York Times - Sports

You know when you're done, you can kind of tell.

Huffington Post

And you can kind of tell by how black the walls are.

Vice

And it's kind of telling.

The New York Times

"I can just kind of tell," Mr. Friedman said.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kind of told" to indicate a level of uncertainty or informality in how something was communicated. It's suitable for conversational or narrative contexts where precision isn't critical.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "kind of told" in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more precise language like "indicated", "suggested", or "stated" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kind of told" functions as a modal verb phrase used to soften or qualify the act of telling. It suggests that the information wasn't conveyed directly or with complete certainty. Ludwig examples show the phrase in use across a range of media.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sports

20%

General Conversation

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kind of told" is a common modal verb phrase used to express that information was conveyed in an indirect or somewhat vague manner. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across various contexts, particularly in news, media and sports. While useful for conveying nuance in informal and narrative contexts, it's generally best to opt for more direct and formal language in academic or professional writing. Consider alternatives such as "sort of mentioned" or "vaguely indicated" depending on the level of formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sort of mentioned

Suggests a slight degree of indirectness in the communication, similar to "kind of told".

vaguely indicated

Highlights the lack of clarity or precision in the communication.

hinted at

Emphasizes the subtle and indirect nature of the communication.

implied somewhat

Focuses on the implicit meaning of the message, rather than direct expression.

rather suggested

Indicates a preference for indirectness in communication.

sort of implied

A slight variation on "implied somewhat", maintaining the sense of indirectness.

intimated slightly

Suggests a very subtle or delicate way of conveying information.

gave a suggestion

Focuses on providing a tip with lack of clarity or strength.

passed on word

This highlights the passing on of information, perhaps informally.

more or less said

Acknowledges approximation in reporting what was communicated.

FAQs

How can I use "kind of told" in a sentence?

You can use "kind of told" to describe a situation where someone communicated something indirectly or vaguely. For example, "He "kind of told" me he was leaving, but he didn't say when."

What are some alternatives to "kind of told"?

Alternatives to "kind of told" include "sort of mentioned", "vaguely indicated", or "hinted at". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "kind of told" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "kind of told" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, consider using stronger and more direct alternatives such as "stated", "indicated", or "explained".

What's the difference between "kind of told" and "explicitly stated"?

"Kind of told" implies a degree of ambiguity or indirectness in the communication. "Explicitly stated", on the other hand, means something was communicated clearly and directly, leaving no room for misinterpretation.