that was told

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was told" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to information or a story that has been communicated or narrated in the past. Example: "The story that was told during the meeting left a lasting impression on everyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Taylor Schilling is reliving a joke that was told by Barack Obama.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Some were minor, like a school that was told to put eyewash stations in science laboratories.

The New York Times

Fierce austerity measures, imposed on a country that was told it did not need them, are unlikely to improve it.

The Economist

And that was the entire story that was told: there is a whale and it is beautiful.

The Guardian - Tech

An event that was told as remembered in history 1,300 years ago, actually became a reality in that moment".

The New York Times

We know that the story that was told is not what happened, but we don't know much more than that.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"You have an engaged jury that was told that the government's case was going to take 16 weeks," Professor Allen said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

And college life's a tale that's told.

Columbia University

Many are the tales that are told.

The Guardian

That was telling.

Harvard Business Review

That was telling to me.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was told" to refer to a specific instance of communication or narration that has already occurred, providing context or background information.

Common error

Ensure the tense aligns. "That was told" indicates a past event. Avoid using it to refer to something that is currently being told or will be told in the future.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was told" typically functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun by providing additional information about it. Ludwig examples show it referring to stories, events, or pieces of information that were communicated in the past.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that was told" functions as a relative clause, referencing past communications. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. The phrase is commonly used in news and media, academia, and wiki contexts. It’s crucial to ensure proper tense agreement when using this phrase and consider alternatives like "what was narrated" or "the story recounted" to add variety to your writing. Overall, "that was told" is a versatile and acceptable phrase for referring to past narrations or communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what was narrated

Focuses on the act of narration itself, rather than the act of telling.

what had been communicated

Emphasizes the communication aspect, highlighting the transfer of information.

the story recounted

Highlights the recounting of a story, suggesting a more detailed narrative.

the version presented

Focuses on the specific version of events that was offered.

the information conveyed

Highlights the transmission of specific pieces of information.

what was disclosed

Emphasizes the revealing of something previously unknown.

the message delivered

Highlights the delivery of a message, often with a specific purpose.

the account given

Focuses on the providing of an account or explanation.

the details shared

Emphasizes the act of sharing specific details.

the narrative presented

Highlights the presentation of a complete narrative.

FAQs

How can I use "that was told" in a sentence?

Use "that was told" to refer back to a story, piece of information, or instruction that someone communicated in the past. For example, "The story "that was told" during the meeting left a lasting impression".

What are some alternatives to "that was told"?

Consider using phrases like "what was narrated", "the story recounted", or "the information conveyed" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to express.

Is it correct to say "that was being told" instead of "that was told"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "That was told" implies a completed action, while "that was being told" suggests an action that was in progress at a specific time. Choose the phrase that best reflects the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "that was told" and "that was said"?

"That was told" usually refers to a narrative or a story, while "that was said" refers to a statement or a piece of information. For example, "The story "that was told" was very moving," versus "The statement "that was said" caused a lot of controversy".