I was talking to you vs I told you

Both phrases are correct, but they have different meanings and are used in different contexts. 'I was talking to you' implies a conversation was happening at a specific time in the past, while 'I told you' indicates that information was conveyed to the listener at some point in the past.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 1005 views

I was talking to you

This phrase is correct and commonly used to refer to a conversation that was happening at a specific time in the past.

This phrase is used to describe a past conversation between the speaker and the listener. It emphasizes the ongoing nature of the conversation at that time.

Examples:

I was talking to you about my trip last week.
When you entered the room, I was talking to you about the project.
While I was talking to you, the phone rang.

Show examples from the web [+]

Just that he'd probably kill me if he knew I was talking to you.
If they knew i was talking to you, We'd all be dead within a week -
They'd put me over the fence if they knew I was talking to you.
Who said I was talking to you?
If Robin knew I was talking to you...
Emily would destroy us both if she knew I was talking to you.
I thought I was talking to you every day.
If they find out I was talking to you...
But deep inside I was talking to you.
He came in when I was talking to you.
If he knew I was talking to you now...
But I saw her when I was talking to you.
That little trip I was talking to you about...
Get me one of those toy spiders that I was talking to you about before.
Carl, they have that island in the kitchen like I was talking to you about.
Look, they figured out something was up while I was talking to you.
I don't think I was talking to you.
In fact, if this person knew I was talking to you right now...
Somebody tells Garvin I was talking to you.
I was talking to you, and then I was somewhere else.

Alternatives:

I was speaking to you
I was chatting with you
I was having a conversation with you
I was communicating with you
I was discussing with you

I told you

This phrase is correct and commonly used to indicate that information was conveyed to the listener at some point in the past.

This phrase is used to convey that the speaker provided information or instructions to the listener in the past. It emphasizes the act of informing or instructing.

Examples:

I told you to be careful.
She told you about the meeting yesterday.
He told you the news earlier.

Show examples from the web [+]

I told you, this is a work thing.
I told you there is... no room here.
I told you Kaminsky was trying to increase longevity.
I told you this is not your decision.
I told you those rocks were slippery.
I told you that name sounded familiar.
I told you hiking was crazy.
I told you I'd see a student here.
I told you, the last rites.
I told you, my name's on the door.
No, I told you... Cook's competitive.
I told you this might end badly.
I told you I was clean.
I told you Mason done it.
I told you, he knows everything.
I told you the lumberjack special was a lot of food.
I told you there wasn't anybody else.
I told you. I told you. I told you.
I told you I've got this covered.
I told you something hilarious and you reacted wrong.

Alternatives:

I informed you
I let you know
I gave you the information
I shared with you
I passed on the message to you

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I was talking to you vs I told you