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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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told out

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "told out" is not correct and does not have a clear meaning in standard written English.
It may be an attempt to convey a specific action or state, but it lacks clarity and proper usage. Example: "He told out the details of the plan" does not convey a clear message.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Our children remained fondest of stories told out loud.

The resultant comparison told out that the plateau stress increases markedly when impact below 30 m/s, but slowly when impact at a velocity various from 30 to 80 m/s.

Forbes: I see, so Liberty's 6.5% dividend yield is higher than the interest I would be charged if I told out a slug of short-term debt to buy the shares with.

News & Media

Forbes

"Women should own their sexuality," she told OUT magazine.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Although she has said that she does not date or have sex with women, she told Out magazine "I don't date men either".

"As a private citizen or an employee, you certainly have your right to your private beliefs," he told Out magazine.

News & Media

Huffington Post
Show more...

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

BOOK: Quoting Ellison: "Most senior software executives don't tell out-and-out lies about their products or their businesses.

News & Media

Forbes

No Internet traffic could make its way in or (as far as I could tell) out.

News & Media

The New Yorker

"In female sports, if you're gay, most likely your team knows it pretty quickly," she tells Out.

News & Media

The New York Times

We're told go out and play.

News & Media

The New Yorker

It is another to try to tell it out loud.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "told out" in formal writing. Opt for more precise verbs like narrated, related, or explained, depending on the context.

Common error

Do not use "told out" when you mean to use a more specific verb like "explained", "narrated", or "revealed". Using precise language enhances clarity.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "told out" functions as a verb phrase, though its usage is often incorrect. As highlighted by Ludwig, it's not a standard construction in English, frequently misused where a more precise verb would be appropriate. Instead, alternatives like "narrated", "explained", or "related" are recommended.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

33%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis reveals that the phrase "told out" is frequently used but grammatically questionable. Ludwig AI states it's not correct and may be an attempt to convey a specific action or state, but it lacks clarity and proper usage. While the phrase appears in contexts like News & Media and Science, it's advisable to use clearer alternatives such as "narrated", "explained", or "related" for better accuracy and to avoid ambiguity. Because of the varying reliability of sources using the term, it's generally best to avoid "told out" in formal writing and opt for more precise language to convey your intended meaning.

FAQs

What does "told out" mean?

The phrase "told out" is generally considered incorrect in standard English. It's often used where other verbs like "explained", "narrated", or "revealed" would be more appropriate.

How can I correct the usage of "told out" in a sentence?

To correct the usage, replace "told out" with a more fitting verb. For instance, instead of "He told out the story", use "He "narrated" the story" or "He "explained" the details."

What are some alternatives to "told out"?

Alternatives include "explained", "narrated", "revealed", "related", and "communicated". The best choice depends on the specific context of the sentence.

Is "told out" grammatically correct?

No, "told out" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use more precise verbs to convey your intended meaning accurately.

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Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: