they told me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they told me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate someone has informed you of something. For example: "They told me a storm was coming, so I made sure to bring an umbrella."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They told me otherwise.

The New Yorker

"They told me: 'No.

The New York Times

"They told me that".

The New York Times

They told me.

Independent

And they told me.

Yale University

"They told me to go.

The Guardian

"They told me," he said.

The New York Times

It's recycled, they told me.

The New York Times

They told me she hadn't.

Cornell University

"They told me now.

The New York Times - Sports

Tuberculosis, they told me.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they told me", consider if more specific attribution is possible or necessary. Vague attribution can sometimes weaken your argument, especially in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on phrases like "they told me" without providing further context or specific sources. Overuse can make your writing sound less credible and may leave readers wondering who "they" are and why their information should be trusted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they told me" serves as a reporting clause, indicating that the speaker is relaying information received from an unspecified group of people. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for conveying information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they told me" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to attribute information to a group source. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in various contexts, especially in news and media. While it's acceptable in most situations, more formal alternatives may be preferable in academic or professional writing. Remember to avoid overusing vague attributions and, when possible, provide more specific details about the source of information to enhance credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as i was told

Uses passive voice and emphasizes the speaker was the recipient of the info

they said to me

Directly quotes the act of speaking, but reorders the sentence.

they let me know

More casual way of saying information was provided.

i was informed

Passive voice construction indicating receipt of information, more formal.

i was advised

Suggests receiving guidance or a recommendation.

it was communicated to me

Formal and passive, emphasizing the transmission of information.

i heard

A general way of saying information was received, less specific about the source.

i learned

Implies gaining knowledge, often through a more active process.

i gathered

Suggests inferring information from multiple sources or observations.

i was schooled

Means someone gave you very concise information

FAQs

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

Use "they told me" to indicate that you received information from a group of people. For example, "They told me to rest after the surgery".

What are some alternatives to "they told me"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "I was informed", "I learned", or "they said to me".

When is it appropriate to use "they told me"?

It's appropriate when you want to attribute information to a group without specifying individuals, often when the exact source is unimportant or confidential. However, overuse can weaken your writing.

Is "they told me" considered formal or informal?

The phrase "they told me" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "I was advised" might be preferable in academic or professional writing.