I am told

USAGE SUMMARY

"I am told" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that the information being expressed is not from the speaker's own personal knowledge, but has been communicated to them by someone else. Example: "I am told that she is coming to the party tonight." In this sentence, the speaker is stating that they have been informed by someone else that the person mentioned will be attending the party.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It can be miserable, I am told.

The New York Times

These, I am told, are not accidents.

The New Yorker

I am told the video is "obscene".

The Guardian

I am told to shut up again.

The Guardian - Sport

"They were gobsmacked," I am told.

Independent

By 20 per cent, I am told.

Independent

I am told there are hundreds.

The New York Times - Travel

I am told this will continue.

The Guardian

I work, when I am told to.

The Guardian

Many times I am told "just throw the junk away".

The New York Times

"I am very sorry, Ma'am," I am told.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I am told" to indicate that the information you are presenting is not based on your personal knowledge but comes from another source. This adds a layer of transparency and allows the reader to evaluate the credibility of the information based on its origin.

Common error

While "I am told" is a valid construction, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound indirect and less engaging. Consider whether an active construction might be more direct and impactful, such as "Sources tell me" or "I heard from..."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I am told" functions as a reporting clause, indicating that the speaker or writer is relaying information received from another, unspecified source. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I am told" is a versatile phrase used to attribute information to an unspecified source, as corroborated by Ludwig AI. It's grammatically correct and commonly found in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While effective for conveying information without personal endorsement, writers should be mindful of overusing passive voice and consider specifying the source when possible to enhance credibility. Remember to balance transparency and impact in your writing. This phrase is generally considered acceptable in most contexts, though understanding its function and alternatives can enhance your writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I've been informed

More formal, emphasizing the act of being officially notified.

It has been reported to me

Highly formal, indicating the information comes from a report or official communication.

According to reports

Attributing information to specific documented reports.

I understand

Focuses on personal comprehension rather than the source of the information.

Sources say

Impersonal and journalistic, attributing information to unnamed sources.

I gather

Suggests information was collected from various sources, not a single telling.

I am given to understand

Formal and slightly indirect, suggesting a subtle conveyance of information.

I've heard

Informal, implying the information is hearsay or common knowledge.

I learned

Focuses on the act of learning the information, regardless of the source.

Word is

Informal, indicating rumor or widespread belief.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "I am told" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "I have been informed", "it has been reported to me", or "I am given to understand" depending on the context.

What's a more casual alternative to "I am told"?

In casual settings, consider using phrases like "I heard", "word is", or "I gather" to convey the same meaning.

Is it better to use "I am told" or specify the source of the information?

Whenever possible, specifying the source of information is preferable as it enhances credibility. Use "I am told" when the source is unknown or confidential, but be mindful that doing so might reduce the impact of your statement.

How does using "I am told" affect the strength of a statement?

Using "I am told" can slightly weaken a statement as it introduces an element of uncertainty. If you aim to convey strong conviction, ensure the information is supported by reliable and verifiable sources rather than relying solely on what you have been told.