I was contacted

USAGE SUMMARY

'I was contacted' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something has happened to you such as when someone has reached out to you for something. Example sentence: I was contacted by an old friend I used to work with about a job opportunity.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I was contacted by the KGB.

The Guardian

I was contacted for a reference/background check.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I was contacted by the UN about this for the first time this morning.

The Guardian

I was contacted many times over multiple days with requests to remove my review from Amazon.

The New York Times

To my surprise, I was contacted several weeks later by a lawyer.

The New Yorker

"I was contacted by a police officer who arrested a lady for breast ironing her daughter.

Independent

Two years ago, I was contacted by the wife of a band member of Slayer.

The New York Times

After I wrote about online astroturfing in December, I was contacted by a whistleblower.

The Guardian

I was contacted out of the blue about a work I had done 10 years ago..".

The Guardian - Arts

I was contacted by the police who said someone had a settled intention to kill me".

The Guardian

Earlier this year, I was contacted by Daisy Eris Campbell, his daughter.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was contacted" when you want to emphasize that someone initiated the contact with you. It's useful when the act of being contacted is more important than who contacted you.

Common error

Don't just say "I was contacted" without specifying who contacted you or why. Provide enough context for the reader to understand the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was contacted" functions as a statement indicating that the speaker was the recipient of communication. According to Ludwig's examples, this phrase is commonly used to report having received an email, phone call, or other form of contact. It employs the passive voice.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was contacted" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that someone initiated communication with the speaker. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts, primarily in news and media. The phrase is generally neutral in register and serves to inform the audience that the speaker received contact, often setting the stage for subsequent details. When using this phrase, remember to provide sufficient context to ensure clarity and avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "someone reached out to me" or "I heard from someone" can be used to express similar ideas with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Someone reached out to me

Focuses on the action of reaching out, emphasizing the initiator.

I received communication

A more formal way of saying that you were contacted.

I heard from someone

Indicates receiving news or information from a person.

I was informed

Emphasizes the receipt of information.

I got in touch with

Focuses on the beginning of a communication.

Someone got ahold of me

An informal way of saying someone contacted you.

I received correspondence

Implies a more formal or written communication.

My attention was drawn to

Highlights something brought to your attention.

I was in receipt of communication

Extremely formal phrasing indicating reception of communication.

An attempt to reach me was made

Focuses on the attempt to contact you, whether successful or not.

FAQs

What does "I was contacted" mean?

The phrase "I was contacted" means that someone reached out to you, either by phone, email, or another means of communication. It indicates that you were the recipient of the contact.

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

You can use "I was contacted" in a sentence like, "I was contacted by the recruiter regarding a job opportunity" or "I was contacted by the police for questioning".

What can I say instead of "I was contacted"?

You can use alternatives like "someone reached out to me", "I received communication", or "I heard from someone" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when saying someone contacted me?

Whether to use active or passive voice depends on what you want to emphasize. Use "I was contacted" (passive) when the fact that you were contacted is most important. Use "Someone contacted me" (active) when you want to emphasize who did the contacting.