told me earlier

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "told me earlier" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to information or a statement that someone communicated to you at an earlier time. Example: "She told me earlier that the meeting was rescheduled for next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I did research," she told me earlier.

The New York Times - Magazine

"He glided," Martin told me earlier.

The New Yorker

I recalled something he had told me earlier.

The New Yorker

I remembered something Annacone told me earlier that day.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We only done close family," Kimbrough had told me earlier.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We have a disagreement," Mr. Coll told me earlier.

The New York Times

"It really made me angry," she told me earlier.

The New York Times

"We call it ordering in," Orr had told me earlier.

The New Yorker

"That's the beauty of it," Donovan had told me earlier.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

'You can't just dismiss the world,' he told me earlier.

The Guardian - Music

"I hope I can handle it," he told me earlier.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing dialogue or narratives, "told me earlier" helps establish a timeline of events and provides background information smoothly.

Common error

Avoid using "told me earlier" excessively in formal documents or academic papers. Opt for more professional alternatives like "informed me previously" or "mentioned earlier" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "told me earlier" functions as a reporting clause, indicating that the speaker is referencing something they were previously informed of. It serves to provide context or background information in a narrative or conversation. Ludwig AI validates this usage with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "told me earlier" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to refer to previously communicated information. Ludwig AI confirms this with many examples found in various sources. While it is most commonly found in News & Media, its neutral register makes it suitable for many contexts. For more formal settings, alternatives like "informed me previously" might be more appropriate. Remember to use it to provide context or background, enhancing clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

said to me earlier

A more direct synonym, replacing "told" with "said" for simplicity.

mentioned to me before

Replaces "told" with "mentioned", softening the tone and emphasizing the act of briefly referring to something.

let me know earlier

Focuses on the act of informing, often implying a prior lack of knowledge.

shared with me earlier

Suggests a more personal or intimate sharing of information.

informed me previously

Uses more formal vocabulary, suitable for professional or academic contexts.

communicated to me earlier

A formal way of saying "told", emphasizing the act of communication.

recounted to me earlier

Implies a more detailed or narrative form of communication.

disclosed to me earlier

Emphasizes the revealing of information, often of a sensitive nature.

advised me earlier

Indicates the information was in the form of advice or guidance.

revealed to me earlier

Suggests the information was previously unknown or secret.

FAQs

What is the best way to use "told me earlier" in a sentence?

You can use "told me earlier" to refer back to a piece of information that was shared with you in the past. For example, "He "told me earlier" that the project was delayed."

Are there any formal alternatives to "told me earlier"?

Yes, in formal contexts, you might prefer phrases like "informed me previously", "mentioned before", or "stated earlier".

Is "told me earlier" grammatically correct?

Yes, "told me earlier" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It follows a standard sentence structure and is easily understood.

What's the difference between "told me earlier" and "told me before"?

"Told me earlier" implies a more recent or specific instance of communication, while "told me before" is more general and could refer to any time in the past.