told him that

USAGE SUMMARY

"told him that" is a perfectly acceptable and usable phrase in written English.
It is generally used when you are reporting something that was said to someone else, such as in this sentence: My friend told me he was feeling tired, so I told him that he should get some rest.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I told him that was absolutely impossible.

The New Yorker

I told him, 'That ain't boxing, son'".

Independent

I told him 'That early?

Forbes

I told him that didn't matter.

Huffington Post

I told him that was not so.

Huffington Post

But the doctor told him: that is a pity; you want to take hypertensive pills.

Global Health Action

They all told him that.

The New Yorker

I told him that, too.

Independent

"And I told him that".

The New York Times - Sports

"No one told him that.

The New York Times

So I told him that.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "told him that" to report direct or indirect speech, but vary your sentence structure to avoid repetition. For example, sometimes you can replace this phrase with direct quotations or alternatives like "informed him".

Common error

Avoid using "told him that" excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your phrasing with synonyms like "informed him", "mentioned to him", or restructure sentences to use direct quotes. This will improve readability and make your writing more engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "told him that" functions as a reporting verb construction, introducing a subordinate clause that contains the content of what was communicated. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used to report direct or indirect speech.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "told him that" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to report speech or convey information. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's a common expression found across various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Scientific sources. While it is widely accepted, varying your sentence structure and using synonyms like ""informed him that"" or ""mentioned to him that"" can enhance the readability of your writing. Avoiding overuse and maintaining clarity are key to effective communication. The phrase's neutral register and high frequency underscore its practical utility in both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

informed him that

Replaces "told" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the act of conveying information.

let him know that

Indicates making someone aware of something, often used in a more casual context.

communicated to him that

A more formal way of saying "told", emphasizing the process of conveying a message.

advised him that

Suggests giving counsel or recommendations, implying a more proactive role.

notified him that

Implies a formal announcement or official communication.

reported to him that

Implies conveying information, often of an official or significant nature.

mentioned to him that

Indicates a casual or brief reference to something.

related to him that

Suggests narrating or recounting something to someone.

expressed to him that

Indicates conveying thoughts or feelings, rather than just facts.

revealed to him that

Suggests uncovering or disclosing something previously unknown.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "told him that"?

You can use alternatives like "informed him that", "let him know that", or "mentioned to him that" depending on the context.

How to use "told him that" in a sentence?

You can use "told him that" to report something someone said to another person, like "She told him that she would be late" or "I told him that the meeting was cancelled".

Is "told him that" grammatically correct?

Yes, "told him that" is grammatically correct and widely used in both formal and informal writing. It functions as a way to report speech or convey information.

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

While both phrases convey the act of communicating something, "told him that" is more common and natural-sounding. "Said to him that" is less frequently used and can sound slightly awkward. Sticking with "told him that" is generally preferable.