"Who told you?" vs "who told you that"

Question

"Who told you?" vs "who told you that"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'Who told you?' is a more informal and direct way of asking for the source of information, while 'Who told you that?' is a bit more formal and specific, asking for the details of what was said.

Last Updated: April 03, 2024

This phrase is an informal way of asking someone about the person who provided them with certain information. It is direct and to the point.

Examples:

A: I heard you got a new job. B: Who told you?
Who told you I was going to be late?
Who told you about the surprise party?

Alternatives:

Who informed you?
Who gave you that information?
Who passed on that news to you?

This phrase is a slightly more formal way of asking someone about the source of information, with a focus on the specific details of what was said.

Examples:

Who told you that I was leaving?
Who told you that we were going on vacation?
Who told you that I was upset?

Alternatives:

Who informed you of that?
Who provided you with that information?
Who passed on that specific news to you?

Answer 1

Who told you?

This phrase is correct and commonly used in informal contexts to ask about the source of information.

Answer 2

who told you that

This phrase is also correct and is used in more formal contexts to ask for specific details about the information received.