I was first informed about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was first informed about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the initial moment or source of information you received regarding a specific topic or event. Example: "I was first informed about the changes to the policy during the team meeting last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

When I was first informed about personalisation I was told that the accounting process was necessary but there were agencies willing and able to help me sort out the paperwork.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

As I reveal in my forthcoming book Losing an Enemy ― Obama, Iran and the Triumph of Diplomacy, Zarif was first informed about the 10 American sailors as he was leaving a theater in Tehran.

Huffington Post

Caitlin Hayden, the deputy national security council spokeswoman, said in a statement that Obama was first informed about the plot in April by his homeland security adviser John Brennan, and was advised that it did not pose a threat to the public.

The Guardian

Pablo Beltrand, the prosecutor from the remote Amazon town of Tabatinga – near the Peruvian border and 700 miles from the Amazonas state capital, Manaus – said his team was first informed about the possible murders in the Javari Valley at the beginning of August.

The Guardian

In his impeachment report to Congress, Kenneth W. Starr said he was first informed about President Clinton's affair with a White House intern by a Pentagon employee, Linda R. Tripp, who called the Whitewater independent counsel's office on the evening of Jan . 12

The New York Times

On Tuesday Foreign Secretary Mr Hague released a written statement outlining the UK's response to the case, prompted by questions by Conservative MP Mark Pritchard, including a request to know when the UK embassy was first informed about the death.

BBC

Index date 2: Time the case was first informed about incipient renal failure from the treating physician; the index date for the control is the index date of the respective case.

BMC Nephrology

The child's guardian was first informed about the research and asked to participate by filling out a consent form and a case report form (Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Amazonas 266/206).

BioMed Research International

French, German and British officials were first informed about the proposed merger and changes to the ownership structure by top EADS executives in July, said a person who was briefed about the meetings, but who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The New York Times

In each trial participants were first informed about the condition in which they were going to play, which could be one or two players.

Plosone

The patients were first informed about the implant type postoperatively.

Acta Orthopaedica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I was first informed about", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what provided the information. This adds clarity and credibility to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "I was first informed about" when you actively sought the information. This phrase suggests you received the information passively. If you searched for it, use "I first learned about" or a similar phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was first informed about" functions as a declarative statement indicating the speaker's initial receipt of specific information. As evidenced by Ludwig, it commonly introduces the subject matter being discussed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was first informed about" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce the initial moment when one received information. According to Ludwig, it is acceptably and commonly used. While versatile, it's best suited for news, scientific contexts, and formal communication rather than casual conversation. Alternatives like "I initially learned of" or "I first became aware of" offer similar meanings with slight shifts in emphasis. Remember to clarify who or what provided the information and avoid using it if you were the one actively seeking information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I initially learned of

Changes the verb to "learn" and uses "initially" to emphasize the beginning.

I was initially apprised of

Replaces "informed" with the more formal "apprised".

I first became aware of

Focuses on the moment of becoming conscious of something.

I was initially notified of

Uses "notified" to indicate a formal communication.

I received my first information regarding

Changes the structure to emphasize receiving information.

My introduction to was

Focuses on the introduction to a topic.

The first I heard of it was

Emphasizes the timing of the information.

I came to know about initially

Uses "came to know" to express acquiring knowledge.

The news first reached me concerning

More formal and emphasizes the arrival of news.

I was briefed initially on

Uses "briefed" to suggest a concise explanation.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "I was first informed about"?

You can use alternatives like "I initially learned of", "I was initially apprised of", or "I first became aware of" depending on the context.

How to use "I was first informed about" in a sentence?

Use "I was first informed about" when you want to indicate the initial moment you received specific information. For example, "I was first informed about the policy change during the meeting."

Which is correct, "I was first informed about" or "I first learned about"?

Both phrases are correct, but "I was first informed about" implies a more passive reception of information, while "I first learned about" suggests a more active discovery.

What's the difference between "I was first informed about" and "I was later informed about"?

"I was first informed about" indicates the initial instance of receiving information. "I was later informed about" suggests subsequent information received on the same topic.