told me that

USAGE SUMMARY

"told me that" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used as an introductory phrase to a reported speech or direct quote. For example: My teacher told me that I should practice my math skills every day if I want to excel in the subject.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I failed," Kamal told me that day.

The Guardian

They told me that hours ago".

The New Yorker

And she told me that might happen".

Critical Care

"They told me that".

The New York Times

He told me that.

The New York Times

You told me that already.

The New Yorker

My mother told me that.

The New Yorker

"You already told me that".

The New Yorker

"Nobody's ever told me that".

The New Yorker

Mom never told me that.

The New York Times

"You told me that before".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your reporting verbs to avoid repetition; consider alternatives like "mentioned", "stated", or "explained" depending on the context.

Common error

Ensure the tense in the reported clause is correct. If the telling happened in the past, adjust the tense accordingly (e.g., "He told me that he was going to the store", not "He told me that he is going to the store").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "told me that" functions as a reporting clause, introducing reported speech or indirect discourse. As evidenced by Ludwig, it connects the act of communication with the content of the message, providing context and attribution.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "told me that" is a versatile and commonly used expression for introducing reported speech or indirect discourse. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently across a wide range of sources, particularly in news, scientific articles, and business communication. While other reporting verbs can add nuance or formality, "told me that" remains a reliable and straightforward way to convey information received from another source. Ludwig also indicates that understanding and properly applying tense after "told me that" is important. With a neutral register, it is suitable for various writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

informed me that

Replaces "told" with a more formal synonym, "informed".

let me know that

Emphasizes the act of making someone aware of something.

mentioned to me that

Substitutes "told" with "mentioned", suggesting a less emphatic communication.

explained to me that

Suggests that the information was provided with the intention of clarifying something.

related to me that

Replaces "told" with "related", implying a narrative or detailed account.

advised me that

Indicates that the information was given as advice or guidance.

communicated to me that

Uses "communicated" for a more formal and broad sense of conveying information.

stated to me that

Uses a more formal verb, "stated", to indicate a declaration or formal communication.

recounted to me that

Implies a detailed storytelling or recounting of events.

divulged to me that

Implies the revealing of private or secret information.

FAQs

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

Use "told me that" to introduce information someone has conveyed to you. For example, "My friend "told me that" the movie was excellent."

What are some alternatives to "told me that"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "informed me that", "mentioned to me that", or "explained to me that".

Is it redundant to use "told me that" if it's already clear who is speaking?

While not always redundant, consider whether the ""told me that"" is necessary for clarity. In some cases, the context may make the speaker obvious, and you can omit it.

Can I use "told me that" in formal writing?

Yes, ""told me that"" is appropriate in formal writing, although in some academic or professional contexts, more precise verbs like "stated", "asserted", or "communicated" may be preferred.