told
v.-
1 past of tell (v.) A1 Beginnerthe past form of 'tell', used when you gave someone information or instructions.
the simple past and past participle of 'tell', used to report speech or information provided to a recipient.
ExampleShe told me the news as soon as she arrived at the office.
ExampleThe witness told the jury a consistent story, though the prosecutor remained skeptical of the finer details.
UsageTakes a direct personal object without 'to'.
PitfallHe told to me the secret.He told me the secret.The verb 'tell' is followed directly by the person you are speaking to; do not use the preposition 'to'.
From Middle English tolde, talde (first and third person singular preterite), from Old English tealde (first and third person singular preterite), from Proto-Germanic talid-, preterite stem of Proto-Germanic taljaną (“to count; tell”), equivalent to tell + -ed.