The spelling of the word "told of" follows the English language's phonetic rules. The "t" is pronounced as a voiced dental plosive /t/, and the "o" is pronounced as a short vowel sound /ɒ/. Similarly, the "l" is pronounced as a voiced alveolar lateral approximant /l/ and the "d" is pronounced as a voiced dental plosive /d/. Lastly, the "of" is pronounced as a short vowel sound /ɒ/ and a voiced labial fricative /v/, respectively. Together, these sounds create the term "told of."
"Told of" is a phrasal verb that refers to the action of informing or reporting something to someone. It involves conveying information, often regarding a particular incident, situation, or wrongdoing, to the relevant individual or authority. This expression can also be used to describe the act of revealing or disclosing certain facts, whether positive or negative, to apprise someone about a particular topic, event, or occurrence.
When someone "tells of" something, they are recounting a story, sharing news, or relaying facts in order to provide details or raise awareness. It implies that the person is openly communicating or confessing information, making others aware of a specific matter.
The phrase "told of" can also indicate the act of reprimanding or admonishing someone for their actions or behavior. In this sense, it involves conveying dissatisfaction, disapproval, or disappointment towards the individual's actions by expressing a rebuke or stern reproof.
Overall, "told of" encompasses the act of informing, reporting, revealing, or disclosing details to someone, whether as a means of communication, a recording of facts, or as a means of reprimanding. It serves as a way of explaining, instructing, or expressing dissatisfaction with the intention of providing information, resolving issues, or addressing concerns.
The phrase "told of" is not a standalone word, but rather a combination of two words: "told" and "of". Let's look at the etymology of each separately:
1. Told: The word "told" is the past tense of the verb "to tell", which originated from the Old English word "tellan". This Old English word itself has Germanic roots, deriving from the West Germanic word "taljan" or "talljan". Over time, the spelling and pronunciation evolved, leading to the modern word "told".
2. Of: The word "of" has a complex etymology, as it serves multiple functions in English. In the context of the phrase "told of", it is a preposition used to indicate possession or involvement.