Mastering “Told”: The Past Tense of Tell

Understanding the past tense of irregular verbs like “tell” is crucial for effective communication in English. The past tense form, “told,” is frequently used in both spoken and written language to recount past events, share stories, and provide information. This article provides a comprehensive guide to “told,” covering its definition, structure, usage rules, common mistakes, and advanced applications. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, this guide will help you master the correct usage of “told” and enhance your overall English proficiency.

This article is designed for English language learners of all levels, including those preparing for English proficiency exams, students studying grammar, and anyone who wants to improve their writing and speaking skills. By understanding the nuances of “told,” you can express yourself more accurately and confidently in various contexts.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definition of “Told”
3. Structural Breakdown
4. Types of Usage
5. Examples of “Told” in Sentences
6. Usage Rules for “Told”
7. Common Mistakes with “Told”
8. Practice Exercises
9. Advanced Topics
10. Frequently Asked Questions
11. Conclusion

Definition of “Told”

“Told” is the past tense and past participle form of the verb “tell.” The verb “tell” means to communicate information, facts, or stories to someone in spoken or written form. “Told” indicates that this communication occurred at some point in the past. It is an irregular verb, meaning its past tense form is not created by simply adding “-ed” to the base form.

In grammatical terms, “told” functions as the past simple and past participle of “tell.” It is used in various tenses, including the simple past, past continuous, past perfect, and past perfect continuous. Understanding its function and usage is essential for constructing grammatically correct and clear sentences.

The verb “tell” is a transitive verb, meaning it typically takes a direct object. In sentences using “told,” there is usually a person or thing that is being told something.

Structural Breakdown

The basic structure of sentences using “told” involves a subject, the verb “told,” and often a direct or indirect object. Here’s a breakdown:

• Subject: The person or thing performing the action of telling.
• Verb (Told): The past tense form of “tell.”
• Object (Direct or Indirect): The person or thing receiving the information.

Here are some common sentence structures using “told”:

• Subject + Told + Direct Object: He told a story.
• Subject + Told + Indirect Object + Direct Object: She told me a secret.
• Subject + Told + (that) + Clause: They told us that they were leaving.

The word “that” is often omitted in the last structure, especially in informal speech and writing. However, it is grammatically correct to include it.

Types of Usage

“Told” is used in various contexts to describe past communication. Here are some common types of usage:

1. Simple Past Tense

Used to describe a completed action in the past.

Example: I told him the truth yesterday.

2. Past Continuous Tense

Used to describe an ongoing action in the past that was interrupted or happened at the same time as another action.

Example: She was telling a joke when the phone rang. (The past continuous form here is “was telling,” not “told.”)

3. Past Perfect Tense

Used to describe an action that was completed before another action in the past.

Example: He had told me about the problem before it happened. (The past perfect form is “had told.”)

4. Past Perfect Continuous Tense

Used to describe an action that had been ongoing for a period of time before another action in the past.

Example: They had been telling stories for hours before we arrived. (The past perfect continuous form is “had been telling.”)

5. Reported Speech

Used to report what someone said in the past. In reported speech, the tense of the original statement often changes.

Example: Direct Speech: “I am going to the store.” Reported Speech: She told me that she was going to the store.

Examples of “Told” in Sentences

Here are extensive examples of “told” used in different sentence structures and tenses. These examples are categorized to help you understand the various contexts in which “told” can be used.

Table 1: Simple Past Tense Examples

The following table provides sentences in the simple past tense, illustrating the direct and straightforward use of “told.” This is the most common way “told” is used.

Sentence	Explanation
I told her the news.	Describes a completed action of informing someone.
He told me a secret.	Describes the act of sharing confidential information.
She told us about her trip.	Describes sharing details about a past journey.
They told the police everything.	Describes providing a complete account of events.
The teacher told the students to be quiet.	Describes giving an instruction or command.
My mother told me to clean my room.	Describes a parental instruction given in the past.
The doctor told him to rest.	Describes medical advice given by a doctor.
The guide told us about the history of the building.	Describes providing historical information.
The witness told the court what she saw.	Describes giving testimony in a legal setting.
The manager told the employees about the new policy.	Describes communicating a new workplace rule.
He told her he loved her.	Describes expressing feelings of love.
She told him she was leaving.	Describes communicating a decision to depart.
They told us they were moving.	Describes announcing a relocation.
I told you so.	An expression indicating that the speaker predicted an outcome.
He told a lie.	Describes the act of telling something untrue.
She told the truth.	Describes the act of telling something that is true.
They told stories around the campfire.	Describes sharing narratives in a group setting.
The child told his parents about his day at school.	Describes a child recounting events from their school day.
The author told a compelling story.	Describes the act of crafting an engaging narrative.
The comedian told jokes all night.	Describes entertaining an audience with humor.
The fortune teller told her future.	Describes predicting someone’s future.
The news reporter told the public about the event.	Describes informing the public about current events.
The scientist told the team about the breakthrough.	Describes sharing a significant discovery.
The athlete told the press about his training regimen.	Describes discussing training routines with the media.
The chef told the staff about the new menu.	Describes communicating changes to a restaurant’s offerings.
The programmer told the users about the software update.	Describes informing users about improvements to software.
The artist told the gallery about her inspiration.	Describes sharing the sources of creative ideas.
The musician told the fans about the upcoming album.	Describes promoting a new musical release.

Table 2: Past Perfect Tense Examples

This table showcases the use of “had told” (past perfect tense), indicating that the action of telling occurred before another point in the past.

Sentence	Explanation
I had told him the news before he heard it from someone else.	The act of telling preceded his hearing it from another source.
She had told me the secret before she told anyone else.	She shared the secret with me first.
They had told us that they were leaving before we even asked.	They announced their departure preemptively.
He had told the police everything before his lawyer arrived.	He provided a full account before legal counsel was present.
The teacher had told the students to be quiet before the principal entered the room.	The teacher gave the instruction before the principal’s arrival.
My mother had told me to clean my room before I went out to play.	The instruction was given before playtime.
The doctor had told him to rest before his condition worsened.	Medical advice was given before the health decline.
The guide had told us about the history of the building before we went inside.	Historical information was provided before entry.
The witness had told the court what she saw before the defense attorney questioned her.	Testimony was given before cross-examination.
The manager had told the employees about the new policy before it was implemented.	The policy was communicated before enactment.
He had told her he loved her before he proposed.	Feelings were expressed before the proposal.
She had told him she was leaving before he had a chance to react.	The decision to leave was announced swiftly.
They had told us they were moving before we could offer to help.	The announcement was made before assistance could be offered.
I had told you so, but you didn’t listen.	The speaker previously warned of an outcome.
He had told a lie, which he later regretted.	The untruthful statement was followed by remorse.
She had told the truth, which set her free.	The truthful statement led to liberation.
They had told stories around the campfire before it started raining.	Narratives were shared before the rain began.
The child had told his parents about his day at school before dinner was served.	The school day was recounted before mealtime.
The author had told a compelling story that captivated readers.	The engaging narrative captivated the audience.
The comedian had told jokes all night, leaving the audience in stitches.	Humor entertained the audience throughout the night.
The fortune teller had told her future, but she didn’t believe it.	The future was predicted, but the prediction was doubted.
The news reporter had told the public about the event before it began.	The public was informed before the event’s start.
The scientist had told the team about the breakthrough before publishing the paper.	The discovery was shared internally before publication.
The athlete had told the press about his training regimen before the competition.	Training routines were discussed before the competition.
The chef had told the staff about the new menu before it was printed.	Menu changes were communicated before printing.
The programmer had told the users about the software update before it was released.	Users were informed before the software release.
The artist had told the gallery about her inspiration before the exhibition opened.	Creative sources were shared before the exhibition.
The musician had told the fans about the upcoming album before the official announcement.	New music was promoted before the official announcement.

Table 3: Reported Speech Examples

This table illustrates how “told” is used in reported speech, where the original statement is recounted from a past perspective. Note the changes in tense and pronouns.

Direct Speech	Reported Speech	Explanation
“I am happy,” she said.	She told me that she was happy.	“Am” changes to “was” to reflect the past tense.
“I will go to the store,” he said.	He told me that he would go to the store.	“Will” changes to “would” in reported speech.
“I have finished my work,” they said.	They told us that they had finished their work.	“Have finished” changes to “had finished.”
“I am going to the party,” she said.	She told me that she was going to the party.	“Am going” changes to “was going.”
“I can help you,” he said.	He told me that he could help me.	“Can” changes to “could.”
“I must leave now,” she said.	She told me that she had to leave then.	“Must” often changes to “had to,” and “now” to “then.”
“I saw a movie,” he said.	He told me that he had seen a movie.	“Saw” changes to “had seen.”
“I like pizza,” she said.	She told me that she liked pizza.	“Like” changes to “liked.”
“I live in New York,” he said.	He told me that he lived in New York.	“Live” changes to “lived.”
“I will call you later,” she said.	She told me that she would call me later.	“Will call” changes to “would call.”
“I am reading a book,” he said.	He told me that he was reading a book.	“Am reading” changes to “was reading.”
“I have been to Paris,” she said.	She told me that she had been to Paris.	“Have been” changes to “had been.”
“I will be there soon,” he said.	He told me that he would be there soon.	“Will be” changes to “would be.”
“I am working on a project,” she said.	She told me that she was working on a project.	“Am working” changes to “was working.”
“I have a car,” he said.	He told me that he had a car.	“Have” changes to “had.”
“I need help,” she said.	She told me that she needed help.	“Need” changes to “needed.”
“I want to go home,” he said.	He told me that he wanted to go home.	“Want” changes to “wanted.”
“I am tired,” she said.	She told me that she was tired.	“Am tired” changes to “was tired.”
“I am hungry,” he said.	He told me that he was hungry.	“Am hungry” changes to “was hungry.”
“I am ready,” she said.	She told me that she was ready.	“Am ready” changes to “was ready.”
“I am excited,” he said.	He told me that he was excited.	“Am excited” changes to “was excited.”
“I am nervous,” she said.	She told me that she was nervous.	“Am nervous” changes to “was nervous.”
“I am busy,” he said.	He told me that he was busy.	“Am busy” changes to “was busy.”
“I am free,” she said.	She told me that she was free.	“Am free” changes to “was free.”
“I am available,” he said.	He told me that he was available.	“Am available” changes to “was available.”
“I am unavailable,” she said.	She told me that she was unavailable.	“Am unavailable” changes to “was unavailable.”

Usage Rules for “Told”

Using “told” correctly involves understanding its role as the past tense and past participle of “tell.” Here are some key usage rules:

1. Subject-Verb Agreement: Ensure the subject and verb agree. While “told” doesn’t change form based on the subject (like “is” vs. “are”), ensure the rest of the sentence is grammatically correct.
2. Direct and Indirect Objects: “Tell” (and therefore “told”) often takes both a direct and an indirect object. The indirect object (usually a person) receives the direct object (the information). For example: He told me a story. (“Me” is the indirect object, “a story” is the direct object).
3. Prepositions: “Tell” is usually followed directly by the indirect object. Avoid using “to” before the indirect object. Incorrect: He told to me a story. Correct: He told me a story. However, you can use “tell” with “to” when rephrasing the sentence: He told a story to me.
4. Reported Speech: When using “told” in reported speech, remember to adjust the tense of the original statement to reflect the past context.
5. Past Perfect Tense: When using “had told,” ensure that the action of telling occurred before another action in the past.

Common Mistakes with “Told”

Here are some common mistakes learners make when using “told,” along with corrections:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
He tell me a story.	He told me a story.	Use the past tense form “told.”
She was tell the truth.	She was telling the truth.	Use the correct form with the past continuous tense (“was telling”).
He has tell me.	He has told me.	Use the past participle form “told” with “has.”
I told to him the secret.	I told him the secret.	Avoid using “to” before the indirect object.
I have tell him already.	I have told him already.	Use the past participle “told” after “have.”
She told that she is happy.	She told me that she was happy.	Include “me” (or another indirect object) and adjust the tense in reported speech.
They told to us that they are leaving.	They told us that they were leaving.	Omit “to” and adjust the tense in reported speech.
He told the lie yesterday.	He told a lie yesterday.	Include the article “a” before “lie.”
She told truth.	She told the truth.	Include the article “the” before “truth.”
I am told by him.	I was told by him.	Use the past tense form “was” in the passive voice construction.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of “told” with these practice exercises. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “tell” (told, tell, telling, etc.).

Exercise 1: Simple Past Tense

Complete the following sentences using the correct form of the verb “tell” in the simple past tense (told).

Question	Answer
1. I ______ him the truth yesterday.	told
2. She ______ me a secret.	told
3. They ______ us about their vacation.	told
4. He ______ a funny joke.	told
5. The teacher ______ the students to be quiet.	told
6. My parents ______ me to do my homework.	told
7. The doctor ______ him to take medicine.	told
8. The guide ______ us about the history of the castle.	told
9. The witness ______ the police what she saw.	told
10. The manager ______ the employees about the new policy.	told

Exercise 2: Past Perfect Tense

Complete the following sentences using the past perfect tense (had told).

Question	Answer
1. I ______ him everything before he left.	had told
2. She ______ me the story before anyone else knew.	had told
3. They ______ us they were moving before we asked.	had told
4. He ______ the truth before it was discovered.	had told
5. The teacher ______ the class about the test before it happened.	had told
6. My mother ______ me to be careful before I went out.	had told
7. The doctor ______ him to rest before his condition worsened.	had told
8. The guide ______ us about the legend before we entered the cave.	had told
9. The witness ______ the court what she knew before the lawyer arrived.	had told
10. The manager ______ the staff about the changes before they were implemented.	had told

Exercise 3: Reported Speech

Convert the following direct speech sentences into reported speech using “told.”

Direct Speech	Reported Speech
1. “I am going to the store,” she said.	She told me that she was going to the store.
2. “I will call you later,” he said.	He told me that he would call me later.
3. “I have finished my homework,” they said.	They told me that they had finished their homework.
4. “I am happy,” she said.	She told me that she was happy.
5. “I can help you,” he said.	He told me that he could help me.
6. “I must leave now,” she said.	She told me that she had to leave then.
7. “I saw a movie,” he said.	He told me that he had seen a movie.
8. “I like ice cream,” she said.	She told me that she liked ice cream.
9. “I live in London,” he said.	He told me that he lived in London.
10. “I am reading a book,” she said.	She told me that she was reading a book.

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, here are some more complex aspects of using “told”:

• Subjunctive Mood: Although less common, “tell” can be used in the subjunctive mood, often in formal or literary contexts. For example: “I asked that he tell the truth.”
• Passive Voice: “Told” can be used in the passive voice: “I was told that…” This construction shifts the focus to the receiver of the information rather than the giver.
• Figurative Language: “Told” can be used figuratively to describe non-verbal communication, such as “Her eyes told a story.”

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between “tell” and “say”?

   “Tell” usually requires an indirect object (the person being told), while “say” does not necessarily need one. “Tell” focuses on the content of the message, while “say” focuses on the act of speaking. For example: “He told me a story” vs. “He said that he was tired.”

2. Can I use “told” without an object?

   While “tell” usually takes an object, there are some idiomatic expressions where it is used without a direct object, such as “I told you so.” However, in most cases, an object is required for grammatical correctness and clarity.

3. How do I use “told” in reported questions?

   When reporting questions, use “asked” instead of “told.” For example: “He asked me if I was going to the party,” not “He told me if I was going to the party.”

4. What are some synonyms for “told”?

   Synonyms for “told” include informed, communicated, related, recounted, and narrated. The best synonym depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

5. Is it correct to say “told to me”?

   Generally, no. The correct structure is “told me.” However, you can say “told to me” when rephrasing, such as “The story was told to me.”

6. How do I use “told” in the past perfect continuous tense?

   The past perfect continuous tense uses the structure “had been telling.” For example: “They had been telling stories for hours before we arrived.” This indicates an ongoing action that occurred before another point in the past.

7. What is the difference between “said” and “told” in reported speech?

   “Said” is a general verb for reporting speech, while “told” specifically indicates that information was conveyed to someone. “Said” doesn’t require an indirect object, while “told” usually does. “He said that he was going” vs. “He told me that he was going.”

8. Can “told” be used in passive constructions?

   Yes, “told” is frequently used in passive constructions. For example, “I was told that the meeting was canceled.” In passive constructions, the focus shifts from the person doing the telling to the person receiving the information.

Conclusion

Mastering the past tense form “told” is essential for fluent and accurate English communication. This article has provided a comprehensive overview of its definition, structure, usage rules, common mistakes, and advanced applications. By understanding these aspects, you can confidently use “told” in various contexts and improve your overall language proficiency.

Remember to practice regularly, pay attention to the context in which “told” is used, and be mindful of common mistakes. With consistent effort, you will master the nuances of “told” and enhance your ability to express yourself effectively in English. Keep practicing and don’t be afraid to use “told” in your everyday conversations and writing!