told him to

USAGE SUMMARY

"told him to" is a correct and commonly used part of a sentence in written English.
It is typically used when describing one person giving a directive or instruction to another. Example: "She told him to stop playing video games and go outside for some fresh air." In this sentence, "told him to" indicates that the person speaking gave the directive to the person being spoken to.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They told him to stop.

The New Yorker

Cotton told him to go.

Independent

"Nobody told him to stop".

The New York Times

I told him to be careful.

The New Yorker

England's selectors told him to withdraw.

Independent

The cop told him to shut up.

The New Yorker

Rice told him to come anyway.

The New Yorker

Theater employees told him to get out.

The New York Times

Then, it told him to wait.

The New York Times - Tech

The Gibraltarians told him to get lost.

The Economist

I told him to go fuck himself.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for more formality, consider alternatives like "instructed him to" or "directed him to".

Common error

Avoid overusing passive voice constructions when "told him to" can provide a more direct and active sentence. For example, instead of "He was told to leave", prefer "They told him to leave" to clarify who gave the instruction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "told him to" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of conveying a directive or instruction. Ludwig examples show it used in various contexts where one person is giving instructions or advice to another. Ludwig AI confirms this is a common and grammatically correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "told him to" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that someone gave an instruction or conveyed information to a male individual. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequency in the English language. It's versatile enough for various contexts, though primarily found in news and media sources. When writing, consider the level of formality required and choose synonyms like "instructed him to" or "directed him to" for more formal contexts. Avoid passive voice constructions for clearer communication. Overall, "told him to" is a reliable and effective phrase for conveying instructions, orders, or advice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instructed him to

Replaces "told" with a more formal synonym, indicating a clear and direct order or command.

directed him to

Similar to "instructed", but implies guidance or supervision in carrying out the action.

advised him to

Suggests a more consultative approach, where the person is given a recommendation rather than a command.

ordered him to

Conveys a stronger sense of authority and compulsion than "told him to".

requested him to

Presents the instruction as a polite request rather than a demand.

asked him to

A simple and direct alternative, suitable for informal contexts.

commanded him to

A more forceful and authoritative alternative to "told him to".

urged him to

Indicates a strong encouragement or plea to do something.

prompted him to

Suggests a gentle encouragement or reminder to take action.

recommended that he

Offers advice, similar to "advised", but emphasizes the recommendation aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "told him to" in a sentence?

Use "told him to" to indicate that someone conveyed an instruction or information to a male individual. For example: "She "told him to" wait outside".

What are some alternatives to "told him to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "instructed him to", "advised him to", or "ordered him to".

Is "told him to" formal or informal?

"Told him to" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for more formal settings, consider alternatives like "directed him to" or "instructed him to".

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

"Told him to" implies a direct instruction or command, while "asked him to" suggests a polite request. The choice depends on the relationship between the individuals and the level of authority being exerted.