this is told

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is told" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey that something is being communicated or narrated, but it lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "The story is told from the perspective of the main character."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

All of this is told with a tart, fresh empiricism.

The New Yorker

All of this is told in fewer than 200 pages.

The Guardian - Books

And most of this is told, not shown.

The New York Times - Books

All this is told through beguiling songs and imaginative spectacle.

The Guardian

All of this is told in elaborate flashback.

The Guardian - Books

All of this is told, soberly and in copious detail, in Bigsby's pages.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

"This is telling us one important bit of the story.

The New York Times

"This is telling us that sales have stabilized.

The New York Times

This is telling a story of impact, but not simply through numbers.

Harvard University

This is telling.

The New York Times

I think this is telling us something'.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a narrative, use the passive voice with a more appropriate verb like "narrated", "recounted", or "described" for better clarity and grammatical correctness. For example, "The story is narrated from his perspective."

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "this is told" in formal writing. It often sounds awkward. Instead, use constructions like "this story is narrated" or rephrase the sentence to use an active voice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is told" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a narrative or information is being communicated. However, Ludwig AI suggests that it's often grammatically awkward and should be used with caution.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "this is told" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it is generally grammatically incorrect and should be used with caution. Standard English prefers clearer and more precise alternatives like "this is narrated", "this is recounted", or "this is related", depending on the intended meaning. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, but its awkwardness makes it less suitable for formal or academic writing. Always consider the clarity and grammatical correctness of your phrasing to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is narrated

Replaces "told" with "narrated" to emphasize the act of storytelling.

this is recounted

Uses "recounted" to suggest a detailed and structured narration.

this is conveyed

Emphasizes the transmission of information or a message.

this is related

Indicates a connection or association in the telling of the information.

this is described

Focuses on providing details and characteristics.

this is communicated

Highlights the process of sharing information effectively.

this is expressed

Focuses on how something is outwardly shown or revealed.

this is revealed

Suggests that something previously unknown is being made apparent.

this is imparted

Implies the giving of knowledge or information.

this is disclosed

Emphasizes the revealing of confidential or sensitive information.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "this is told" to improve clarity?

To enhance clarity, replace "this is told" with stronger alternatives such as "this is narrated", "this is recounted", or "this is described", depending on the context.

Is "this is told" grammatically correct in English?

While occasionally found in certain contexts or direct quotations, "this is told" is generally considered grammatically awkward. It's advisable to use clearer and more standard phrasing in formal writing.

What's a more formal alternative to "this is told"?

For a more formal alternative, consider using phrases like "this is related", or "this is conveyed", which provide a more polished and professional tone.

When might it be acceptable to use the phrase "this is told"?

The phrase "this is told" might be acceptable in informal speech or in direct quotations where a character uses that specific phrasing. However, it should generally be avoided in formal or academic writing.