told for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "told for" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not a standard expression and may lead to confusion in communication. Example: "He was told for his actions, but the meaning is unclear."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Comparable stories can be told for Canada or the US.

Independent

All told, for £5.95, it was good value.

The Guardian - Travel

It is also a metaphor, I am told, for migration.

The New York Times

A similar story can be told for pedestrianisation.

The Guardian

We're told, for example, that he had "no female attachments".

The New York Times - Arts

We aren't told for whom until the play's end.

The New York Times

This, at least, is a tale that evolutionary biologists have told for decades.

The Economist

I'll focus on the U.S. position, but a similar story can be told for other nations.

The New York Times

In the same way, stories that were told for laughs show themselves to be eerie foreshadows.

The New York Times

But he remained in her thoughts and the subject of stories she told for years afterward.

The New York Times - Arts

But my mother was told "for the present you had better leave the buttons off".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "told for" in formal writing. Instead, opt for more grammatically sound alternatives like "told about", "recounted for", or restructure the sentence for clarity.

Common error

A frequent error is using "told for" when "told about" or "told of" is grammatically appropriate. Always consider the correct preposition to follow "told" to ensure accurate sentence construction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "told for" functions as part of a verbal construction, but its grammatical correctness is disputed. Ludwig AI marks it as incorrect, suggesting that its role in conveying information is compromised by its non-standard usage. Although common, using it should be avoided in formal context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "told for" appears frequently across various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. This non-standard usage undermines its clarity and effectiveness. It is generally advisable to avoid "told for" in formal writing and speech, opting instead for grammatically correct alternatives such as "told about" or "told of", or rephrasing the sentence for better clarity. Though fairly prevalent, its misuse suggests the usage is most appropriate for informal contexts; however, precise language elevates clarity for the audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recounted for

Focuses on the act of narrating a story or event, emphasizing the detailed account provided.

narrated for

Highlights the storytelling aspect, often used when describing a sequence of events.

related for

Stresses the act of communicating information or details about something.

described for

Emphasizes the provision of a detailed account, often focusing on sensory details.

explained for

Focuses on making something clear or understandable, typically involving simplification or clarification.

revealed for

Highlights the act of making something known that was previously hidden or secret.

shared for

Emphasizes the act of imparting information or experiences with others.

communicated for

Focuses on the general act of conveying information between individuals or groups.

mentioned for

Highlights the act of briefly referring to something or someone in a discussion.

expressed for

Emphasizes the act of conveying thoughts or feelings through words or actions.

FAQs

How to correct the phrase "told for" in a sentence?

Replace "told for" with more appropriate alternatives like "told about", "told of", or rephrase the sentence to use a different verb construction. For instance, instead of "We were told for years", try "We were "told about" it for years".

What is the difference between "told for" and "told about"?

"Told for" is generally grammatically incorrect, while "told about" is a correct and common usage. "Told about" means to inform someone regarding something. For example, "I was "told about" the meeting".

Can I use "told for" in any context?

While "told for" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically incorrect. It's best to avoid it in formal writing. It may appear in informal speech or writing, but it is not considered standard English.

What are some alternatives to "told for" that I can use in my writing?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "informed about", "recounted for", or "narrated for". These alternatives provide greater clarity and grammatical accuracy.