I said to him vs I told him that

Both "I said to him" and "I told him that" are correct phrases, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "I said to him" is more commonly used in direct speech to report what was said, while "I told him that" is used to convey information or give instructions. The choice between the two depends on the specific situation and the type of communication being reported.

Last updated: March 24, 2024 • 2893 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English, especially in direct speech to report what was said.

"I said to him"

This phrase is typically used in direct speech to report conversations or statements made to someone. It is a straightforward way to convey dialogue or quotes.

Examples:

I said to him, 'I'll be there at 3 o'clock.'
She said to him, 'Please pass me the salt.'
He said to her, 'I love you.'

Show examples from the web [+]

That's what I said to him.
All I said to him was "barber".
We need some culture, I said to him.
I said to him, Kid, I don't know what you call it... talent, charisma, magic...
The last thing I said to him were the lines to some old song.
I said to him, "Leave us alone" and he got aggressive, started lashing out.
I said to him he was the least likely person in the world to ever panic about anything but...
So I said to him, Actually, no.
Because every nasty thing I said to him earlier was the absolute truth.
I said to him that I knew what it's like to have taken somebody's life through my Vietnam experiences.
I said to him, you don't get that with a horse.
I said to him, Now, look here...
- After what I said to him, He probably just wanted to disappear.
And I said to him, I know the story.
So I said to him, Thank you but I was foolish to think that we could adapt to one another.
I said to him, Supposing there were an act of parliament...
I don't know what I said to him.
Anouk, the only thing I said to him is, I have no idea how to judge art.
But as I said to him, I've quite enough "friends" already.
Which is exactly what I said to him, but he made it very clear he does not want me to fight him on this.

Alternatives:

I told him
I informed him
I mentioned to him
I expressed to him
I communicated to him

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English, especially when conveying information or giving instructions.

"I told him that"

This phrase is used to report information or instructions that were given to someone. It is a more formal way to communicate details or facts.

Examples:

I told him that the meeting was canceled.
She told him that she would be late.
He told her that he couldn't come.

Show examples from the web [+]

So I told him that we were broken up.
I told him that Finn was ready.
I told him that I couldn't stand for no more cheating'.
I told him that the path was clear.
I told him that to make it interesting.
I told him that I'm staying.
I told him that I wanted to show you myself.
I told him that Solano had a protector.
I told him that - I kissed Marco, and...
I told him that I could drink...
And I told him that it was Tandy...
I told him that he must rest.
I told him that he could put it in my mouth.
I told him that you and Baxter were camping.
I told him that Tenea got jacked up by somebody in the department.
I told him that Alfonz Derosa's death car was for sale.
Look, I told him that Reddington...
I told him that if he exposed Honor Corps would hurt the school.
And I told him that things would never be the same between us unless he forgave Mike.
I told him that I'm happy.

Alternatives:

I said to him
I informed him that
I mentioned to him that
I expressed to him that
I communicated to him that

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I said to him vs I told him that

"I said to him"

"I told him that"

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