told to do something

USAGE SUMMARY

"told to do something" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone has been instructed or commanded to do something. For example, "My teacher told me to write an essay about the impact of the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"Some people wait to be told to do something, and some people get on and do it.

Independent

"I don't like being told to do something I don't want to do," she said.

The New York Times - Tech

When I was told to do something, my inclination was not to do it".

The New York Times

When you're told to do something, you do it!" Such strictness served a purpose, she explained: "Without self-discipline, this department would fall apart.

The New York Times

People just had to realise they weren't really enjoying themselves – I don't think they feel they are being told to do something".

Independent

Because being told to do something that's good for you is bad enough; but being cajoled into it, as those announcements tried to do, is much worse.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

So whenever somebody told me to do something or not to do something, I would challenge it.

The New York Times

She said she was jumping to your tune, you told her to do something and she did it.

Independent

Like naughty children, when they are told not to do something, they do it even more".

The Guardian

Everyone told me to do something else – the criticism was wide-ranging, but mostly very critical.

The Guardian

I told them to do something, anything, to their sheet of paper.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "told to do something", ensure clarity regarding who gave the instruction and the context in which it was given. This adds precision and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "told to do something" in a way that obscures who gave the instruction. Always strive for clarity by specifying the source of the direction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "told to do something" functions as a passive construction indicating that someone received an instruction or command. Ludwig shows its use in various contexts, reinforcing its role as a common way to express directives.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

12%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "told to do something" is a grammatically sound and commonly used construction that indicates an instruction or command has been given. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widespread, particularly in News & Media. When writing, ensure you clearly identify the source of the instruction to avoid ambiguity. While phrases like "instructed to act" or "directed to take action" can serve as more formal alternatives, "told to do something" remains a versatile and widely understood expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instructed to act

Focuses on the specific action being instructed.

directed to take action

Highlights the direction given and the resulting action.

ordered to perform a task

Emphasizes the authoritative nature of the instruction and the nature of the task.

required to fulfill

Focuses on the obligation or requirement to complete something.

given the task to complete

Shifts focus to the assignment of a task.

assigned to carry out

Highlights the assignment and subsequent execution of a task.

tasked with performing

Similar to 'assigned', but emphasizes responsibility.

commanded to execute

Implies a strict, military-style order.

expected to achieve

Highlights the expectation of a certain outcome or achievement.

under orders to proceed

Specifies that actions are being carried out under specific orders.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "told to do something" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "instructed to act", "directed to take action", or "ordered to perform a task", depending on the context.

Is "told to do something" passive or active voice?

The phrase "told to do something" is generally used in the passive voice. For example, "He was told to clean his room" uses the passive construction.

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

"Asked to do something" implies a request, while "told to do something" indicates an instruction or command. The latter suggests a higher level of authority or obligation.

When is it appropriate to use "told to do something" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "told to do something" when you want to convey that someone received a direct order or instruction, especially when the source of the instruction is important.