told us about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "told us about" is correct and usable in written English.
It is commonly used to indicate that someone provided information or shared a story with the speaker and/or others. Example: She told us about her trip to Europe and showed us all her amazing photos.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He told us about U.F.O.

The New Yorker

How much Ashton told us about life!

The New Yorker

Mr. Liu told us about being comptroller.

The New York Times

But nobody told us about the title.

The New York Times - Arts

"Nobody told us about it.

The Washington Post

He told us about Freud.

The Guardian

No one told us about it.

The Guardian - Sport

Told us about their skin sheddin.

The New Yorker

He told us about this Redd scheme.

The Guardian

He told us about soccer abroad.

The New Yorker

"People told us about shouting matches," Mr. Manes said.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "told us about" to convey that someone provided information or shared an experience with you and others. It's suitable for a range of contexts, from casual conversations to more formal reports.

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid overusing "told us about" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise alternatives like "informed us of" or "described to us" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "told us about" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the act of conveying information or narrating experiences. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. The verb "told" takes "us" as an indirect object and "about" introduces the topic discussed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "told us about" is a versatile and common phrase used to express the act of sharing information or recounting experiences. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use across various contexts. While generally acceptable, it's important to consider the level of formality required by the writing context. More formal alternatives, such as "informed us of" or "described to us", may be more appropriate in certain situations. Its frequent appearance in News & Media, Academia, and Science indicates broad applicability, but writers should be mindful of choosing the most precise and impactful phrasing for their intended audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

let us know about

A more casual phrasing, emphasizing the act of providing information.

informed us of

This alternative offers a more formal tone and suggests a direct relay of factual information.

described to us

Highlights the provision of descriptive details about a topic or subject.

gave us details on

Focuses on providing specific information or details.

filled us in on

Implies providing missing information to complete understanding.

shared with us regarding

Emphasizes the act of sharing information, adding a sense of personal connection.

recounted to us

Focuses on the act of narrating an event or experience, often implying a detailed story.

briefed us on

Suggests a concise and formal communication of essential information.

related to us the story of

Specifically refers to the act of telling a story, emphasizing the narrative aspect.

revealed to us

Suggests the uncovering of previously unknown information, adding an element of surprise.

FAQs

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

You can use "told us about" to indicate that someone shared information or recounted an experience. For example, "The professor told us about the history of the Roman Empire."

What are some alternatives to "told us about"?

Alternatives include "informed us of", "shared with us", or "described to us". The best choice depends on the specific context and level of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "told us about" in academic writing?

While "told us about" is generally acceptable, more formal options like "informed us of" or "detailed for us" might be preferable in academic contexts.

What's the difference between "told us about" and "informed us of"?

"Told us about" is generally more informal and can refer to sharing stories or experiences. "Informed us of" is more formal and usually refers to conveying factual information. For example, "He told us about his vacation", versus "The company informed us of the new policy".