I've been told

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I've been told" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to introduce information that someone else has conveyed to you, or to emphasize the weight of the information. For example: "I've been told that I need to attend the meeting tomorrow or risk being fired."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or so I've been told".

The New Yorker

"That's what I've been told".

The New York Times

I've been told a million times.

The New York Times

I've been told I micro-manage!

Independent

Definitely not, I've been told.

The Guardian

"Three times, I've been told".

The New York Times

"I've been told he will be back".

Independent

Again, I've been told it's normal".

The New York Times

But this time, I've been told nothing.

The New York Times

But I've been told I'm dead.

Independent

I've been told we've made a difference.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I've been told" to introduce information attributed to a non-specific source, creating a sense of hearsay or general consensus without directly naming the informant.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice; where appropriate, rephrase to include the actor to add clarity and directness to your writing. For example, instead of "I've been told it's important", consider "My manager told me it's important."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I've been told" functions as an introductory phrase to report information received from an unspecified source. It is a passive construction where the speaker is the recipient of the information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I've been told" is a grammatically correct and very common way to introduce information received from an unspecified source. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in written English. It is frequently found in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral register suitable for diverse scenarios. When using the phrase, be mindful of potential overuse of the passive voice, and consider rephrasing for more directness when appropriate. Alternatives like "I understand" or "I've heard it said" can offer slight variations in emphasis. Overall, "I've been told" is a versatile phrase for conveying information attributed to an external source without naming it directly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was told

This alternative omits the auxiliary verb "have" for brevity.

Someone informed me

This alternative specifies that the information comes from an individual.

I've heard it said

This alternative indicates the information is circulating more generally.

According to what I've heard

This alternative highlights the reliance on hearsay or secondhand accounts.

I understand

This alternative is more direct and lacks the implied source of information.

I'm given to understand

This alternative conveys a sense of indirectness or suggestion.

I gather

This alternative is more concise and implies an inference based on information received.

It has come to my attention

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the receipt of information.

I've learned

This alternative implies a more formal or deliberate acquisition of knowledge.

It's my understanding

This alternative frames it as personal interpretation, not necessarily a direct statement.

FAQs

How can I use "I've been told" in a sentence?

Use "I've been told" to introduce information that you received from someone else, without necessarily revealing who told you. For example, "I've been told that the meeting has been postponed".

What can I say instead of "I've been told"?

You can use alternatives like "I understand", "I've heard it said", or "someone informed me" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "I've been told"?

It's appropriate to use "I've been told" when you want to convey information without specifying the source, or when the source is unimportant or confidential.

What's the difference between "I was told" and "I've been told"?

"I was told" is a simple past tense, indicating you were told something at a specific point in the past. "I've been told" is present perfect, implying the information is still relevant or has ongoing implications. In many contexts, they are interchangeable but "I've been told" carries a slightly more current or lasting sense.