I got told

USAGE SUMMARY

"I got told" is a correct and usable form of written English.
You can use it to refer to information that someone imparted to you, either verbally or non-verbally. For example, "I got told to stay away from the lake because of high water levels."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tough Day Tomorrow Finally ready to go meet my mom with my family and i cannot sleep thinking about it I got told the dress code earlier, i got told smart / casual but my mom is coming off that plane and let me tell you I'm not casual.

Independent

And I says, I know, sweet, I got told its one over, you know, it's crossed the line from asthma.

BMC Public Health

Of course, that wasn't all I got told at school.

The Guardian - Opinion

I sent it to him, and then I got told, "J.J.'s on holiday".

The New York Times

"I got told by the fourth official to go off the pitch.

The Guardian - Sport

I got told to play in midfield and I didn't want to.

The Guardian - Sport

"When I got told it was the highest by a No8 I was surprised.

The Guardian - Sport

And I got told off for saying Sir Ken Robinson should be education secretary on Twitter".

The Guardian

I wasn't with him, but I got told that he was really happy.

The Guardian

I won a jackpot on one of the slot machines and I did a lap of honour around the casino, for which I got told off.

Independent

"... what had happened the previous week where I got told by a senior player that that Twitter account was being run from inside our dressing room.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I got told", ensure the context makes it clear who provided the information. Avoid overuse in formal writing.

Common error

While "I got told" is acceptable, avoid excessive use of passive voice. Consider rephrasing to a more active construction if possible for clearer communication. For example, instead of saying "I got told to submit the report", say "My manager told me to submit the report".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I got told" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the speaker received information or instruction. Ludwig AI confirms it's a usable form of written English. It places emphasis on the speaker as the recipient of the information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I got told" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English, serving to indicate that the speaker received information or instructions. While acceptable in most contexts, Ludwig AI and style guides suggest that more formal alternatives such as "I was informed" may be more suitable for professional or academic writing. The phrase's prevalence in news and media contexts and less formal register positions it as a versatile option for everyday communication. It is important to make sure the context makes the origin of the information clear to ensure the message is effectively conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Someone told me

More direct and less passive construction; specifies that information came from a person.

I was informed

Emphasizes the act of receiving information; slightly more formal.

I was advised

Highlights the receipt of guidance or recommendations.

I learned

Focuses on the acquisition of knowledge; can imply self-discovery or being taught.

I heard

Implies receiving information through spoken means, often informally.

It was reported to me

Formal and emphasizes that information was officially communicated.

I received word

Suggests communication of news or a message.

I was given to understand

Implies a subtle or indirect communication of information.

I gathered

Indicates information was pieced together from various sources.

Word reached me

A more literary or old-fashioned way of saying information was received.

FAQs

Is "I got told" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I got told" is generally considered grammatically correct in spoken and informal written English. However, in more formal contexts, alternatives like "I was informed" might be preferred.

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

While both phrases convey the same meaning, "I got told" is often perceived as more informal and colloquial than "I was told". In formal writing, "I was told" is generally preferred.

What can I say instead of "I got told"?

You can use alternatives like "I was informed", "I was advised", or "Someone told me" depending on the context.

How to use "I got told" in a sentence?

"I got told" is used to indicate that you received information or instruction. For example: "I got told that the meeting was canceled", or "I got told to bring my ID to the event".