I was briefed

USAGE SUMMARY

"I was briefed" is a grammatically correct sentence that can be used in written English.
It is typically used when someone has been given information about something. For example: "My manager briefed me on the new project before I began work on it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Earlier today I was briefed on the events in Boston.

The Guardian

"Yes, I was briefed on haggis," he commented unenthusiastically at the time.

The New York Times

Then, last August, after years of painstaking work by our intelligence community, I was briefed on a possible lead to bin Laden.

The New York Times

During my tour of the farming village of Urif, I was briefed by the head of the local olive farmers cooperative, Abdel Fatah el-Safadi, who is in his 50s.

The New York Times

Q. Did your staff regularly brief you on the intelligence when you returned? A. I was briefed, and items of interest were noted for me from time to time by my staff.

The New York Times

"When I was briefed on it, you couldn't help but conclude that it would have an impact on Americans," said Representative Peter Hoekstra, Republican of Michigan, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

We divide up the major papers, and I'm briefed on what's in the rest.

The New York Times - Magazine

The president-elect and I were briefed by George Tenet on terrorism and on the Al Qaeda network.

The New York Times

Each week, I have a meeting in which I am briefed by the Security Service and, because they head up national counter-terrorism policing, the Metropolitan Police.

Independent

Hadn't I been "briefed" on the protocol, he asked?

Vice

I had an inkling of this when I was briefing Ken Brower on the other panelists.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was briefed" when you want to convey that you received specific information or instructions, often in a formal setting or about a particular topic. This is useful in professional, news-related, or formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "I was briefed" in casual conversations or informal writing. Alternatives like "I heard" or "I found out" are often more appropriate in less formal situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was briefed" functions as a statement indicating the receipt of specific information or instructions. It positions the speaker as the recipient of a formal communication, as seen in Ludwig examples where individuals in positions of authority or responsibility use it to convey they've been informed about crucial developments.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was briefed" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that you received specific information or instructions, typically in a formal or professional setting. Ludwig AI confirms that it's appropriate for conveying that you were given key details about a particular subject. While very common in the news and business contexts, it is important to avoid overuse in informal situations, opting for alternatives like "I heard" or "I found out". The examples provided by Ludwig show its versatility in describing situations where information is formally conveyed, which makes it a useful addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I received information

This alternative is a more general way of saying that information was received, lacking the implication of a formal briefing.

I was informed

Similar to "I received information", but suggests a direct conveyance of information, rather than a structured briefing.

I was given an overview

This implies a less detailed explanation than a full briefing, focusing on the key points.

I was apprised of the situation

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the complete conveyance of relevant details.

I learned

This option conveys the gaining of knowledge, but does not specify the method or source of the information.

I was updated

This suggests that new or changed information was provided, often in a recurring manner.

I was made aware

This suggests that one was notified of something, but doesn't necessarily imply a detailed explanation.

I was filled in

This phrase is more informal and suggests receiving necessary details to understand a situation.

Information was conveyed to me

This is a more passive and formal way of stating that information was received.

I had a briefing

This focuses on the event itself rather than the result, and is less personal than "I was briefed".

FAQs

What does "I was briefed" mean?

The phrase "I was briefed" means that someone provided you with specific information or instructions, usually in a structured or formal setting. It implies that you were given key details about a particular subject.

How can I use "I was briefed" in a sentence?

You can use "I was briefed" to explain that you received certain information: "Earlier today, "I was briefed" on the company's new marketing strategy." It's commonly used to indicate you've received necessary details to move forward.

What's the difference between "I was briefed" and "I was informed"?

"I was briefed" often implies a more detailed and structured conveyance of information than "I was informed". While both indicate receiving information, a briefing tends to be more thorough and may include instructions or specific directions, whilst "I was informed" can be related to any information.

What are some alternatives to "I was briefed"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "I received information", "I learned", or "I was given an overview". These phrases provide similar meanings with slight variations in formality or the level of detail implied.