taught him that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "taught him that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a lesson or knowledge imparted to someone, often in a narrative or explanatory context. Example: "His father taught him that hard work pays off in the long run."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

His father taught him that lesson as well.

The New York Times - Sports

The site is primarily targeting women, Hirsch says that seeing 75% of Facebook's traffic come from women taught him that was the prime audience for social networks.

TechCrunch

This taught him that spacecraft are complicated.

The New York Times

I wonder what lesson taught him that.

The Guardian - Opinion

I'd taught him that word: "soulmate".

The Guardian - Books

He added, chuckling: "I have not taught him that.

The New York Times - Sports

Experience had taught him that regrets were futile.

The New York Times

Laurence Olivier taught him that clothes make the man.

The New York Times

His dad was the one who'd taught him that rule.

The New Yorker

We taught him that there's nothing physically stopping the words coming out.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

His mother had taught him that "happiness in life consists in fulfilment of duties and not of desires".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "taught him that", ensure the context clearly establishes who did the teaching and what specific lesson was learned. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "taught him that" when the learning experience was not directly instructed by someone. Instead, use phrases like "he learned that" or "experience showed him that" to accurately reflect the source of knowledge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taught him that" functions as a reporting verb introducing a subordinate clause that specifies the lesson or knowledge gained. Ludwig's examples showcase its common use in narrative and explanatory contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "taught him that" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the act of imparting knowledge or a lesson, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, indicating its versatility in reporting and narrative writing. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it is crucial to accurately attribute the source of learning to maintain clarity. For alternative expressions, consider "showed him that" or "instructed him in". Remembering to avoid misattributing the learning source will help ensure accuracy and credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Showed him that

A more direct and less formal alternative to "taught".

Instructed him in

Emphasizes a structured or formal teaching process.

Conveyed the knowledge that

Focuses on the transmission of specific information.

Educated him that

Formal and emphasizes thorough learning.

Imparted the understanding that

Replaces "taught" with a more formal verb and elaborates on the nature of the lesson.

Helped him understand that

Highlights the supportive aspect of teaching or learning.

Demonstrated to him that

Implies a practical or visible lesson.

Made him realize that

Shifts the focus to the recipient's understanding or awakening.

Gave him the insight that

Focuses on providing a deeper understanding or perspective.

Passed on the wisdom that

Suggests the sharing of valuable and time-tested knowledge.

FAQs

How can I use "taught him that" in a sentence?

Use "taught him that" to indicate a specific lesson or piece of knowledge that someone imparted to another. For instance, "His father "taught him that" hard work leads to success".

What are some alternatives to saying "taught him that"?

You can use alternatives such as "showed him that", "instructed him in", or "made him realize that" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "taught him that"?

Yes, "taught him that" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to describe the act of imparting knowledge or a lesson.

What's the difference between "taught him that" and "he learned that"?

"Taught him that" implies someone directly instructed or showed him, while "he learned that" suggests he gained the knowledge through experience, observation, or any means, not necessarily direct instruction.