told a joke

USAGE SUMMARY

"told a joke" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used whenever someone has shared a humorous story or punchline with another person or group of people. Example: At the dinner party, John told a joke that made everyone burst into laughter.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Then, perhaps inevitably, he told a joke.

The New York Times

She never told a joke.

The Washington Post

Then the darkness told a joke.

The New Yorker

"I told a joke I couldn't deliver".

The Guardian

He told a joke doing the rounds.

The Guardian

Here, suddenly, was a comedian who never told a joke.

The New York Times

Austin told a joke about a whale at a restaurant.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

But can they tell a joke?

Yale University

ENTERTAIN ME! Quick, do a dance, sing a song, tell a joke, tell a joke again.

The Guardian

So he can tell a joke.

The Guardian - Sport

"He was always telling a joke.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add color and nuance to your narrative, use a variety of alternatives to "told a joke" such as "shared a joke" or "cracked a joke" to vary the description.

Common error

Avoid using "told a joke" if the intent is sarcasm or irony. Instead, use more specific phrasing that captures the character's tone and intent, such as "made a sarcastic remark" or "offered a dry observation."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "told a joke" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, typically acting as the predicate. It describes the action of someone communicating a joke to another person or group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Wiki

7%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "told a joke" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the action of someone sharing a humorous anecdote or story. As Ludwig AI validates, the phrase is appropriate for various contexts, though primarily found in news and media. When aiming for variety, consider alternatives like "shared a joke" or "cracked a joke". Be mindful of your audience and the intended effect of the joke when using this phrase. Always ensure it aligns with the desired tone and context of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

related a joke

Focuses on the act of narrating or recounting a joke.

shared a joke

Emphasizes the act of distributing or making a joke known to others.

cracked a joke

Highlights the sudden or spontaneous nature of telling a joke.

recounted a joke

Stresses the act of retelling or repeating a joke from memory.

delivered a joke

Focuses on the performance or presentation aspect of telling a joke.

narrated a joke

Implies a more detailed or elaborate telling of a joke.

trotted out a joke

Suggests that a joke is old or well-worn and is being used again.

spouted a joke

Suggests the joke was told impulsively or quickly, or in great quantity.

uttered a joke

Formal way to express a joke, typically reserved for written language.

let fly a joke

Suggests the joke was told aggressively or without thought.

FAQs

How can I use "told a joke" in a sentence?

You can use "told a joke" to describe someone sharing something funny, such as "He "told a joke" about a whale at a restaurant, and everyone laughed".

What are some alternatives to "told a joke"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "shared a joke", "related a joke", or "cracked a joke".

Is it always clear when someone has "told a joke"?

Not always. Sometimes, what someone intends as a joke may not be perceived as funny by others. Context and delivery play a significant role in whether something is understood as having "told a joke".

What's the difference between "told a joke" and "made a joke"?

"Told a joke" implies sharing a pre-existing joke or story, while "made a joke" can refer to creating an original joke or humorous comment on the spot.