I have been informed

USAGE SUMMARY

"I have been informed" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you have received some sort of notification, news, or update. For example: "I have been informed of the changes to the company's policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have been informed, not always gently, that I snore.

The New York Times - Health

"Shouldn't I have been informed" about the possible side effects?

The New York Times - Science

* * * Further update The language is Tamil, I have been informed by numerous correspondents.

The New Yorker

* * * _Further update:_The language is Tamil, I have been informed by numerous correspondents.

The New Yorker

"I have been informed you are hiding them here and there".

The New York Times

DR. NELTE: As far as I have been informed, all defense counsel will write down their speeches before delivery.

Yale University

When asked if his clients had done such a trade, Mr. Olson said, "I have been informed it isn't true".

The New York Times

As his wife I have been informed that his trial is going to resume on Wednesday 24 October," she said.

The Guardian

I have been informed by the serjeant at arms that [Eric Joyce] has been detained in police custody.

The Guardian

The troops, I have been informed, will be based in an abandoned hotel in the middle of town.

The Guardian

The major attractions in the old town are Maiden's Tower and Shirvanshah's Palace, one as interesting as I have been informed, the other as soulless as can be.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to sound even more professional and less personal, consider replacing "I have been informed" with "It has come to my attention".

Common error

While "I have been informed" is grammatically sound, overuse of passive voice can make your writing seem less direct and more convoluted. Consider active voice alternatives when appropriate for a more impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I have been informed" functions primarily as a declarative statement to convey that the speaker has received information. Ludwig examples show its use in reporting news, relaying instructions, or acknowledging updates.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I have been informed" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate the receipt of information. As confirmed by Ludwig, this passive voice construction is particularly prevalent in news and media, academia and formal contexts. While effective in conveying information formally, be mindful of overusing passive voice in writing. Alternatives such as ""I was told"" or ""I understand"" may be more appropriate in some situations. When a more professional tone is desired, "It has come to my attention" is also a suitable alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I've been made aware

This alternative emphasizes that someone or something caused you to become aware.

I was told

This is a more direct and simpler alternative, specifying that the information was received from someone.

I have heard

This suggests the information was received through word of mouth or general communication, rather than a formal briefing.

It has come to my attention

This is a more formal alternative, implying that the information was brought to one's notice.

I have learned of

This phrase is similar but places emphasis on learning about a specific event or situation.

I've learned

This alternative emphasizes the acquisition of knowledge, slightly shifting the focus from the passive reception of information.

The information I received indicates

This is a more verbose and formal way of expressing the same idea, highlighting the received information.

I understand

This alternative offers a simpler way to express comprehension, focusing more on understanding than the act of being informed.

I gather

This indicates the information was deduced or inferred from various sources.

I'm aware

This expresses a state of knowing, omitting the source or method of obtaining the information.

FAQs

What does "I have been informed" mean?

The phrase "I have been informed" means that you have received news, a notification, or an update about something. It implies that the information was given to you by someone or something.

When is it appropriate to use "I have been informed"?

It's appropriate to use "I have been informed" in formal or professional settings when you want to convey that you received specific information. It's also suitable when you want to maintain a degree of distance or objectivity.

What are some alternatives to "I have been informed"?

Some alternatives include "I understand", "I was told", or "I'm aware" depending on the context and level of formality you want to convey.

Is "I have been informed" passive voice?

Yes, "I have been informed" is in the passive voice. The active voice equivalent would be something like "Someone informed me". While grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can sometimes make your writing less direct.