told me to

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "told me to" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to indicate that someone gave a command, instruction, or direction to someone else. Example: "My boss told me to finish the report by tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He told me to".

The New York Times

He told me to wait.

The New York Times

"They told me to go.

The Guardian

Collette told me to ask".

The New Yorker

She told me to get in line.

The New Yorker

And Hugh told me to ignore them.

The New Yorker

My lawyer told me to say that.

The New Yorker

Something told me to sit there, still.

The New Yorker

Donovan told me to stop investigating.

The Guardian - Opinion

Dykstra told me to follow him there.

The New Yorker

Lou told me to come right over.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone of your writing and choose a synonym if "told me to" doesn't fit the formality level. For example, use 'instructed' in formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "told me to" when the instruction was implied or suggested, as it indicates a direct command. Use alternatives like "suggested I" or "hinted that I" for such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "told me to" functions as a reporting verb construction. It's used to relay a direct command or instruction given by someone else. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is commonly used, effectively communicating a directive.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "told me to" is a very common and grammatically correct way to report a direct instruction or command. Ludwig AI analysis indicates its frequent use across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives like "instructed" or "directed" may be preferable in certain settings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about who issued the instruction and be mindful of the implied authority. Remember to consider context and audience to ensure it aligns with your writing's tone. Remember the most common authoritative sources for this expression are The New York Times, The New Yorker and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instructed me to

Formal synonym, emphasizing a more authoritative command.

directed me to

Similar to 'instructed', but can also imply a less formal guidance.

commanded me to

Emphasizes authority and a strict obligation to comply.

advised me to

Implies a suggestion rather than a direct command.

ordered me to

Stronger, more forceful command.

urged me to

Implies a strong encouragement or persuasion.

requested me to

Softer and more polite way of asking someone to do something.

recommended that I

Similar to 'suggested', but can carry more weight depending on the speaker's expertise.

suggested that I

Indirect instruction, implying a recommendation.

asked me to

A general request, less forceful than "told me to".

FAQs

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

The phrase "told me to" is used to report a direct instruction or command. For example, "My boss "told me to" finish the report by Friday."

What are some alternatives to "told me to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "instructed me to", "advised me to", or "requested me to".

Is "told me to" formal or informal?

"Told me to" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "directed me to" might be preferred in certain situations.

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

"Told me to" implies a command or instruction, while "asked me to" suggests a request. The former carries more authority and expectation of compliance.