told separately

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "told separately" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that information or instructions are to be communicated individually rather than collectively. Example: "The results of the survey will be told separately to each participant to maintain confidentiality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The couple have been told the bodies of six men were found after the US raid; they were told separately that four men seized their daughter.

The Guardian

Exploring the story of the emotional and psychological effects of an extramarital affair, told separately from the male and female perspective, it stars Wilson, from BBC1's Luther, as Alison, a waitress trying to piece her life together after a family tragedy.

The Guardian

Although it is possible the North Koreans interviewed are more disenchanted than others — given their affiliation with Christians, who are generally very critical of the Communist state — their accounts, told separately, largely dovetailed with one another's and with the assessments offered by foreign aid workers and academics who recently spent time in the country.

The New York Times

The love story also becomes one that is told separately.

Wikipedia

The hourlong relationship drama will be told separately from both the male and female perspectives.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

So many stories that we're so used to telling separately are now being braided tighter and tighter together, and becoming one big story.

Huffington Post

It was, they each told me separately, probably just as well.

The New York Times - Magazine

The jury have been told that separately Brooks wrote to the Press Complaints Commission to tell them that any journalist who broke the law would face instant dismissal.

The Guardian

But the captain of the Japanese ship, Hisao Onishi, speaking in Japanese, told reporters separately that the waves had not been large enough to toss seawater into lifeboats.

The New York Times

Cowart told CNN separately that some of the clinic's staff escaped the gunman by following security protocol and hunkering down in "safe rooms" built into the facility.

The Guardian

In Saudi Arabia, two Saudi human-rights activists told me separately, there is growing concern that all Saudi law indeed, everything King Salman wishes is, in a sense, Islamic law, and is thus automatically beyond question.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider rephrasing for better clarity. For example, "each person received the information individually" may be clearer.

Common error

Avoid using "told separately" when the intention is to indicate secrecy or confidentiality. While separate communication can sometimes imply privacy, it's important to use more explicit terms like "confidential" or "private" to convey that aspect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "told separately" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb (often "tell" or a synonym) to indicate the manner in which information is conveyed. It specifies that the information is given to individuals or groups in isolation, rather than collectively. Ludwig AI confirms that is well formatted and its usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "told separately" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to emphasize the individual nature of communication. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, while correct, this phrase is relatively rare in usage, and predominantly found in news and media. When employing "told separately", ensure that the context makes clear who is providing information individually, and to whom. Alternative phrases, such as "communicated individually" or "narrated independently", can be used to enhance clarity or formality. To avoid misuse, be mindful that "told separately" focuses on the manner of conveying information rather than implying strict secrecy, which would need additional specification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

communicated individually

Replaces "told" with a more formal synonym and emphasizes the individual nature of the communication.

reported in isolation

Focuses on the reporting of information without connection to other related details.

narrated independently

Highlights the independence of the storytelling or recounting of events.

related distinctly

Emphasizes the distinctness of the accounts or narratives being shared.

shared in confidence, each to their own

Highlights privacy and sharing limited with the recipient.

conveyed discretely

Emphasizes the subtle and private nature of the communication.

disclosed one-on-one

Specifies a direct and personal form of revealing information.

expressed in private

Focuses on the private setting and context of the communication.

recited independently

Similar to narrated, but specifically implies a pre-existing account being conveyed separately.

submitted individually

Highlights the individual submission of information, often in a formal setting.

FAQs

How can I use "told separately" in a sentence?

"Told separately" indicates that information is conveyed to individuals individually, rather than as a group. For example, "The witnesses were "interviewed separately" to avoid collusion."

What's a more formal way to say "told separately"?

More formal alternatives include "communicated individually", "disclosed in isolation", or "related distinctly". For example, "The findings were "communicated individually" to each participant."

Is "told separately" the same as "said in private"?

While both suggest individual communication, "told separately" focuses on the act of conveying information individually, whereas "said in private" emphasizes the confidentiality of the communication. They aren't interchangeable in all contexts.

Which is correct, "told separately" or "told individually"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "told separately" is more common. "Told individually" is less frequently used but still conveys the intended meaning. Use whichever best fits the context and flow of your writing.