told us that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "told us that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when reporting information or statements that someone has communicated to you or a group. Example: "She told us that the meeting has been rescheduled for next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He told us that would change".

BBC

Intel told us that was not true.

TechCrunch

Lao Tzu told us that centuries ago.

Huffington Post

Bradley told us that was no accident.

Huffington Post

Participants told us that the content and focus of the course were useful.

BMC Medical Education

They have told us that.

The Guardian

The police told us that afterward.

The New York Times

The intelligence community told us that.

The New York Times

No one ever told us that.

The New York Times

Mann told us that.

The New York Times - Books

Nobody told us that".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "told us that", ensure the context clearly indicates who 'us' refers to. This is especially important when writing for a broader audience.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of passive constructions when reporting information. While "told us that" is active, ensure the surrounding sentences maintain clarity and directness. For example, instead of 'It was told to us that the project was delayed', prefer 'They "told us that" the project was delayed'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "told us that" functions as a reporting clause, introducing information conveyed by a speaker or source. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness, making it suitable for directly relaying information. It signifies a straightforward communication of facts or opinions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

39%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "told us that" serves as a versatile reporting clause used to convey information from a speaker or source, as validated by Ludwig. Its neutral register and widespread presence across News & Media and Scientific sources demonstrates its adaptability. To enhance writing quality, avoid overusing passive constructions and ensure clarity by specifying who 'us' refers to. The phrase is a useful means for directly relaying information effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Confirmed to us that

Emphasizes the communication verified or validated something.

Informed us that

Replaces "told" with a more formal synonym, "informed".

Mentioned to us that

Indicates a brief or casual communication.

Let us know that

Uses a more casual phrasing to indicate communication.

Stated to us that

Emphasizes a formal declaration or statement.

Communicated to us that

Emphasizes the act of communication in a formal context.

Reported to us that

Suggests the communication involved a report or factual information.

Advised us that

Suggests the communication included advice or a recommendation.

Revealed to us that

Indicates the communication disclosed something previously unknown.

Disclosed to us that

Suggests the communication made something secret known.

FAQs

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

Use ""told us that"" to report information or statements someone communicated to you or a group. For example: "The manager "told us that" the deadline was extended."

What are some alternatives to "told us that"?

You can use alternatives such as "informed us that", "mentioned to us that", or "let us know that" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it correct to say "told to us that" instead of "told us that"?

No, ""told us that"" is the correct and more common phrasing. "Told to us that" is grammatically awkward and not typically used.

What's the difference between "told us that" and "explained to us that"?

"Told us that" is a general way to report information. "Explained to us that" implies that someone provided a detailed explanation or clarification on a topic.