she told me

USAGE SUMMARY

"she told me" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to indicate that something happened because someone said it to the speaker. For example: "She told me I should study for the exam, so I stayed up late to review my notes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

She told me.

The New York Times - Food

She told me everything.

The New Yorker

"Nothing," she told me.

The New Yorker

"Linden," she told me.

The New Yorker

Yes, she told me.

The New York Times

She told me: "No.

The New York Times

"No," she told me.

The New Yorker

She told me so.

The New York Times

She told me of course.

The New Yorker

Smiling, she told me no.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"They're thieves," she told me.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "she told me", ensure the context is clear about who "she" refers to, especially if there are multiple female figures in the narrative. This avoids confusion and maintains clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "she told me" in close proximity without re-establishing who "she" is. This can lead to reader confusion. Vary the sentence structure or use the person's name to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she told me" functions as a reporting clause, introducing information or statements that were communicated by a female individual to the speaker. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "she told me" is a grammatically sound and extremely common expression used to report information conveyed by a female individual. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely accepted and correctly used. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it serves to relay information and provide context within narratives. While versatile, it's important to maintain clarity by ensuring the referent of "she" is always clear to avoid any ambiguity. Related alternatives such as "she informed me" or "she mentioned to me" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. All the factors, including the reliable source quality, contribute to a high expert rating for the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she told it to me

Simplifies the phrase while maintaining the core meaning; may sound slightly less formal.

she informed me

Focuses on the act of conveying information, highlighting the formal nature of the communication.

she let me know

Emphasizes the act of making information known, suggesting a more casual or informal communication.

she explained to me

Highlights the clarification or detailed description provided, emphasizing understanding.

she recounted to me

Highlights the detailed narration of an event or story, indicating a more extensive communication.

she revealed to me

Suggests the disclosure of something previously unknown or secret, adding an element of surprise.

she mentioned to me

Indicates a brief or casual reference to something, rather than a full explanation.

she communicated to me

Emphasizes the act of conveying a message, which could be verbal or non-verbal.

she confided in me

Highlights the trust and intimacy involved in sharing personal or sensitive information.

she advised me

Focuses on providing guidance or recommendations, rather than simply conveying information.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "she told me"?

Alternatives include "she informed me", "she let me know", or "she mentioned to me", depending on the context and formality you want to convey.

How can I use "she told me" in a sentence?

"She told me" is used to report something someone said. For example, "She told me that the meeting was postponed" or "She told me about her vacation".

Is it correct to say "she said to me" instead of "she told me"?

While "she said to me" isn't incorrect, "she told me" is generally preferred because it directly indicates that information was conveyed. "She said to me" is acceptable but can sometimes sound less natural.

What's the difference between "she told me" and "she asked me"?

"She told me" indicates a statement or information being shared, whereas "she asked me" indicates a question being posed. For example, "She told me her name was Sarah" versus "She asked me if I needed help".