we told that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we told that" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly as it lacks a direct object or a complement to complete the thought. Example: "We told that the meeting was rescheduled." (should be "We told them that the meeting was rescheduled.")

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

How often are we told that looks shouldn't matter?

The New York Times - Books

He co-founded the influential literary journal Kultura in Maisons Laffitte with Jerzy Giedroyc (well, we told that story here).

Stanford University

During his years of suffering, only once are we told that Jude prays "to a god he didn't believe in" (note the lowercase "g").

The New Yorker

During his years of suffering, only once are we told that Jude prays "to a god he didn't believe in" (note the lowercase "g_"_).

The New Yorker

Very politely, but with great strength we told that *&$#% that Donna was not to receive that med again.

Huffington Post

By the time the entire prison arc is done, I think people will be really satisfied in the way that we told that story".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Below we tell that story in 7 charts.

The Washington Post

How we tell that truth is often what matters most.

HuffPost

"We started thinking, how do we tell that story?

Vice

"We were told that would be it.

The New York Times

We were told that was all that was available.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always include a direct object when using "told" to specify who received the information (e.g., "We told them that...").

Common error

Avoid using "we told that" without specifying to whom the information was conveyed. This omission creates a grammatically incorrect and unclear sentence. Instead, use "we told them that" or "we told her that".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we told that" functions as an introductory clause, typically setting up a statement or piece of information that was communicated. Ludwig AI indicates that it is often used incorrectly due to the omission of a direct object, which is required for the verb "told".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we told that" is frequently used but grammatically incorrect because it lacks a direct object specifying who received the information. According to Ludwig AI, while examples exist across various sources, including News & Media and Science, it's essential to correct the sentence by adding a direct object (e.g., "we told them that"). Alternatives like "we mentioned that" or "we informed them that" can also be used depending on the context. Therefore, when writing, always ensure to include the recipient of the information to maintain grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we informed them that

Adds a direct object, 'them', to clarify who received the information, correcting the grammatical structure.

we mentioned that

Replaces "told" with "mentioned", offering a slightly less direct way of conveying the information.

we stated that

Substitutes "told" with "stated", indicating a more formal declaration of information.

we reported that

Uses "reported" instead of "told", suggesting the information was formally conveyed or documented.

we communicated that

Emphasizes the act of communication itself, replacing "told" with a broader term.

we advised them that

Clarifies that the information was given as advice, with the addition of a direct object 'them'.

we let them know that

Offers a more informal way of saying "told", with the addition of a direct object 'them'.

we notified them that

Suggests a formal notification was given, adding a direct object 'them' for clarity.

we explained that

Indicates that a detailed explanation was provided, replacing "told" with a more descriptive verb.

we indicated that

Implies a subtle or indirect communication of information, substituting "told" with a less direct verb.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "we told that"?

The phrase "we told that" is grammatically incorrect. You should specify who you told, such as in "We told them that" or "We told her that".

What can I say instead of "we told that"?

Consider using alternatives like "we mentioned that", "we stated that", or "we informed them that", depending on the context.

Is "we told that" grammatically correct?

No, "we told that" is not grammatically correct. The verb "told" requires a direct object to indicate who received the information.

What's the difference between "we told that" and "we told them that"?

"We told that" is incomplete and grammatically incorrect. "We told them that" is the correct form, as it specifies who received the information.