told me something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "told me something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to information or a message that someone has communicated to you in the past. Example: "She told me something important about the project that I need to remember."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Western diplomats told me something similar.

The New Yorker

"He told me something happened," she said.

The New Yorker

And that told me something.

The New York Times

Then he told me something.

The New York Times - Books

He told me something I want to keep to myself.

Independent

Then he told me something I already knew.

The New York Times - Magazine

Bobby Gillespie told me something very comforting.

The Guardian

It told me something about that woman".

The New York Times - Arts

"The nurses told me something about it," Cervelli said.

The New York Times

Alwash, the Iraqi civil engineer, told me, "Something has changed.

The New Yorker

I think my great-grandfather told me something like that.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "told me something" when you want to emphasize the act of someone communicating information to you directly. It's a versatile phrase suitable for a variety of contexts.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive voice when using "told me something". Instead of saying "I was told something by her", opt for the more direct "She told me something".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "told me something" functions as a reporting clause, conveying that the speaker received information from someone. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples, indicating its role in relaying information or narratives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "told me something" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to report information received from someone. As indicated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is versatile and appears frequently in News & Media. While generally neutral in tone, consider more formal alternatives in academic or professional contexts. Remember to avoid overuse of passive voice when using this phrase and be precise in indicating what information was communicated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

informed me of something

Formal alternative emphasizing the act of conveying information.

shared something with me

Highlights the act of sharing personal information.

made me aware of something

Focuses on the result: the recipient gaining awareness.

revealed something to me

Suggests unveiling a secret or previously unknown information.

disclosed something to me

Similar to 'revealed', but can also imply a more formal setting.

let me know something

More informal, focusing on the act of making someone aware.

mentioned something to me

Casual reference to bringing something up in conversation.

indicated something to me

Implies conveying information indirectly.

intimated something to me

Suggests a subtle or indirect communication.

conveyed something to me

Focuses on the communication aspect, can be formal or informal.

FAQs

How can I use "told me something" in a sentence?

You can use "told me something" to report information you received directly from someone. For example: "My friend "told me something" interesting about the project today."

What are some alternatives to "told me something"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "informed me of something", "shared something with me", or "revealed something to me".

Is it appropriate to use "told me something" in formal writing?

While "told me something" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "informed me of something" or "conveyed something to me" in highly formal contexts.

What's the difference between "told me something" and "told me about something"?

"Told me something" implies direct communication of a specific piece of information. "Told me about something" suggests a more general conversation or explanation. For example: "He "told me something" surprising about the deal" versus "He "told me about something" interesting that happened at work today."