someone told me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "someone told me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to convey information that you received from another person, often implying that the information may not be verified. Example: "Someone told me that the meeting has been rescheduled for next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But someone told me".

The New York Times

'Go work for NASA,' someone told me".

The New Yorker

"He loves fabrics," someone told me later.

The New York Times

"Nice jacket," someone told me, snapping a picture.

The New Yorker

Then someone told me, you can't say that".

Independent

Someone told me to come backstage and meet Robert.

Independent

"Someone told me that you took her away.

The New York Times

Later, someone told me that his name was Abbas Ercan.

The New Yorker

Someone told me about extra work.

The New York Times - Magazine

Someone told me a person was dead.

The New Yorker

Someone told me TV people type less.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "someone told me", consider the reliability of the source. If the source is unreliable, qualify the statement or seek corroborating evidence. If the source is highly credible, consider identifying the source directly for added impact.

Common error

Avoid using "someone told me" as the sole basis for making important decisions or spreading information without verification. Always cross-reference information from unidentified sources with more reliable sources.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "someone told me" functions as an introductory phrase to report information received from an unspecified source. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and widely used. It sets the stage for the information being shared, often implying a degree of uncertainty or hearsay.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "someone told me" is a common and grammatically sound way to introduce information received from an unspecified source. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts, predominantly in news and media. While versatile, it's important to consider the reliability of the source and, when possible, verify the information independently. Alternatives like "I was informed by someone" can add formality, while naming the source directly adds credibility. Overall, "someone told me" is a useful tool for relaying information while maintaining a degree of separation from its accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A person told me

Replaces "someone" with "a person" for a slight change in tone.

I was told by someone that

Slightly more formal and explicit.

I heard from someone

More casual, suggests indirect communication.

Someone let me know

Emphasizes the act of informing.

I learned from someone

Focuses on the acquisition of knowledge.

I was informed by someone

Formal rephrasing, emphasizes passive reception of information.

An individual told me

More formal substitution for "someone".

I was advised by someone

Specifically indicates receiving advice.

I understood from someone

Implies interpretation of what was communicated.

I gathered from someone

Suggests inferring information rather than being directly told.

FAQs

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

You can use "someone told me" to introduce information you received from another person, often implying that the information may not be verified. For example, "Someone told me the meeting was postponed".

What's a more formal alternative to "someone told me"?

A more formal alternative would be "I was informed by someone" or "I was advised by someone". These phrases add a degree of formality suitable for professional contexts.

Is it better to name the source instead of saying "someone told me"?

Whenever possible, naming the source is preferable, as it adds credibility to the information. However, "someone told me" is useful when the source is unknown or needs to remain confidential.

What's the difference between "someone told me" and "somebody told me"?

"Somebody told me" and "someone told me" are essentially interchangeable and carry the same meaning. Both indicate that an unspecified person provided information.