Told or Telled
Which Spelling is Correct?
Confused between "told" and "telled"? Learn the correct spelling, meaning, and how to use it properly in your writing.
Incorrect: Telled
"Telled" is a misspelling. The correct spelling is "told" - the past tense of "tell."
Correct: Told
"Told" is the correct spelling. It is the past tense and past participle of "tell."
Definitions
Told (verb):
Past tense and past participle of tell; communicated information to someone.
Examples:
- • I told him the truth.
- • She told me about her trip.
- • They had told us everything.
Telled (verb):
"Telled" is a misspelling of "told" and is not a valid English word.
Examples:
- • "Telled" is not used in standard English.
- • Always use told as the past tense of tell.
Synonyms
Told:
- • Informed
- • Said
- • Communicated
- • Revealed
- • Disclosed
Telled:
- • (No valid synonyms; not a standard English word)
Notes
Notes:
- • Told is the irregular past tense of "tell."
- • It does not follow the regular -ed pattern like "telled" would suggest.
- • "Telled" is never correct in any context.
- • The word comes from Old English "tellan" meaning "to count, tell."
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is "telled" ever correct?
A: No, "telled" is never correct. The proper spelling is always "told."
Q: How do I remember the correct spelling?
A: Remember that "tell" is an irregular verb - its past tense is "told," not "telled."
Q: What's the difference between "told" and "said"?
A: "Told" implies communication to someone specific, while "said" is more general.
Q: Can "told" be used in formal writing?
A: Yes, "told" is appropriate in both formal and informal writing contexts.
Q: Why do people misspell "told"?
A: The misspelling "telled" often happens because people expect regular verb conjugation patterns.
Q: What are some common phrases using "told"?
A: Examples include: told the truth, told a story, told me about, and told you so.
Q: Is "told" always about communication?
A: Yes, "told" always refers to communicating information to someone.
Q: Can "told" be used as a noun?
A: No, "told" is only used as a verb (past tense and past participle of tell).
Summary
Remember: Told is the correct spelling for both past tense and past participle: told. It means to communicate information. The misspelling "telled" is never correct. Always use "told" when referring to past communication.