"I told you" vs "I was talking to you"

Question

"I told you" vs "I was talking to 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

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.

Alternatives:

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

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.

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

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

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.

"I told you" vs "I was talking to you"

I told you

I was talking to you

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