“I Heard That” vs. “He Told Me That”: What’s the Difference?
Jun 12, 2023
Engram
The difference between “I heard that” and “he told me that”
- "I heard that" does not divulge the source, while "he told me that" discloses a specific source.
- "He told me that" tells the listener that the speaker heard the information directly from someone who intentionally told them, while "I heard that" can suggest that the speaker overheard the information.
- "I heard that" can carry the connotation that the information may be second-hand, while "he told me that" implies that it is first-hand.
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What is the definition of “I heard that” and “he told me that”?
I heard that
- It is a statement made when information has been received from a third party.
- It does not define who said the information or if it is factual.
- It implies that the speaker may not have first-hand knowledge of the topic.
He told me that
- It is a statement made when information has been received directly from a specific person.
- It defines who relayed the information.
- It may imply that the information is more reliable since it was shared first-hand.
Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?
“He told me that” is the more popular variant on the web.
I heard that
22,900,000 results on the web
Examples
- I heard that Jack got an A in calculus this semester.
- I heard that the new restaurant downtown has amazing tacos.
- I heard that the company is planning to downsize next quarter.
More popular
He told me that
28,500,000 results on the web
Examples
- He told me that he was going to propose to his girlfriend next week.
- He told me that he had a terrible day at work and just wanted to relax.
- He told me that he was excited to start his new job next month.
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