told us

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "told us" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone has given another person or persons information. For example: Our teacher told us that we needed to study for the upcoming test.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They told us, Stop.

The New Yorker

But nobody told us".

Independent

"They coulda told us".

The New Yorker

"Nobody told us anything".

The New York Times

They have told us that.

The Guardian

Only what he's told us.

The New Yorker

Finally, they told us, 'Sorry!

The New Yorker

Just go," they told us.

The New Yorker

He told us: 'Well done!

Independent

He told us to wait.

The New York Times - Magazine

No one has told us".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "told us", ensure the context clearly identifies who is providing the information and who is receiving it for clarity.

Common error

Ensure that the "us" in "told us" clearly refers to a specific group or entity to avoid confusion. If the context is unclear, rephrase to specify the recipients of the information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "told us" functions as a reporting verb phrase. It indicates that a statement, information, or instruction was communicated to a group of people. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "told us" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to report that information has been conveyed to a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely applicable. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, especially news and media. When using "told us", ensure that the context clearly identifies who is providing the information and who is receiving it to maintain clarity. Consider alternatives like "informed us" or "explained to us" depending on the specific nuances you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

informed us

Replaces "told" with a more formal synonym, indicating a transmission of knowledge.

let us know

Emphasizes the act of making information known to the recipient.

communicated to us

Highlights the process of conveying a message.

advised us

Suggests the information was guidance or a recommendation.

notified us

Implies an official or formal announcement.

revealed to us

Suggests that the information was previously unknown or secret.

shared with us

Highlights the act of willingly giving information.

explained to us

Indicates a detailed account or clarification was provided.

reported to us

Implies that the information was part of a formal account or investigation.

mentioned to us

Suggests a casual or brief reference to something.

FAQs

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

Use "told us" to indicate that someone conveyed information to a group. For example, "The teacher "told us" about the upcoming exam".

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

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "informed us" or "notified us", depending on the context.

What can I say instead of "told us" to emphasize sharing?

If you want to emphasize the act of sharing information, you could use "shared with us". This implies a willingness to provide information.

When should I use "explained to us" instead of "told us"?

Use "explained to us" when the information involved a detailed account or clarification, rather than a simple statement. It emphasizes the depth of information provided.