My mother told me a story vs My mother said to me a story

The phrase 'my mother told me a story' is correct, while 'my mother said to me a story' is not a common or natural construction in English. 'Told' is the appropriate verb to use when conveying a narrative or information from one person to another.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 4250 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"My mother told me a story "

This phrase is used to indicate that someone shared a story with you. 'Told' is the appropriate verb to convey the act of narrating or recounting something.

Examples:

My mother told me a story about her childhood.
She told me a story that gave me chills.
He told me a story that made me laugh.
They told me a story that I will never forget.
The teacher told us a story to illustrate the concept.

Show examples from the web [+]

My mother told us an interesting story.
The reason mother told me the story...
I don't know why mother told me this story about the sack in the cemetery.
And his mother told me this story of coming home one day - and he went to college nearby - and she said, "I saw that car, which you can always recognize, in the parking lot of a bar," she said.
There was one story my mother told me.
My mother told me unwelcomed guests should never show up empty-handed.
My mother told me I would never be anybody's girlfriend.
My mother told me he was going home.
My mother told me never to arrive empty-handed.
My mother told me he died fighting for his country and his king.
My mother told me she loved me.
You're the English lady my mother told me about.
My mother told me he wasn't coming home again.
Once my mother told me about a thing called faith.
My mother told me love had nothing to do with marriage.
And then my mother told me Hasan got married in Turkey.
My mother told me Oversight was unhappy with her.
My mother told me the prejudices of men would hold me back in life.
Then my mother told me that you accompanied Carlos.
At the police station my mother told me you had survived.

This phrase is not a common or natural construction in English.

"My mother said to me a story "

The verb 'say' is not typically used to convey the act of narrating or recounting a story. Instead, 'told' is the appropriate verb to use in this context.

Show examples from the web [+]

My mother said to stay inside.
Something my mother said to me before we were married.
That's the last thing my mother said to Felix and I.
I remember what my mother said to me on my wedding day.
But then my mother said to me, I hear you've been going around talking about psychopathic killers.
IRENE: My mother said to me... I rolled up diamonds in your skirt -
When I was a boy - perhaps it is not fashionable now to talk about the devil - my mother said to me: 'The devil finds work for idle hands'.
My mother said that it was... kind of her cover story... that having me didn't ruin her looks.
My mother said that only cowards hit women.
You know, that's exactly what my mother said to justify what she did to Daniel.
My mother said to tell them, Who do you think you are?
Do you know what my mother said to me when i told her i wanted to start a company?
That's exactly what my mother said.
And I did what my mother said.
My mother said you have answers.
My mother said she died from an illness.
A wrong 'un, my mother said.
My mother said that's how good girls do it.
My mother said he drove you home.
My mother said that this is how you earn love.

Alternatives:

My mother told me a story.
My mother shared a story with me.
My mother recounted a story to me.
My mother narrated a story to me.
My mother related a story to me.

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My mother told me a story vs My mother said to me a story