I was taught

USAGE SUMMARY

"I was taught" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone taught you something in the past. For example: "I was taught to be kind and respect others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was taught music.

The Guardian - Music

I was taught how to work.

The New York Times - Magazine

I was taught confidence by my grandmother".

Independent

I was taught by Ruby Wax.

Independent

I was taught to hand write those.

The New York Times

Is what I was taught.

The Guardian - Opinion

But, professionally, I was taught by Paul Norman.

Independent

"I was taught to have discipline.

The New York Times - Sports

I was taught to work for something.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I was taught by the Maryknoll missionaries.

The New York Times

"Abortion was wrong, I was taught.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When the instruction's source is obvious, a more direct active form, such as "I learned," might be concise. However, "I was taught" effectively conveys the imparting of knowledge.

Common error

Ensure you're using "taught", the past tense of "teach", and not "thought", which refers to the act of thinking. For example, write "I was taught to drive" not "I was thought to drive".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was taught" functions as a passive voice construction. It indicates that the subject (I) received instruction or knowledge from an unspecified or subsequently specified source. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a grammatically sound and widely used expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was taught" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate the source of one's knowledge or skills. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a reliable way to express how you acquired specific information or abilities. While versatile, be mindful of alternative constructions like "I received instruction" for more formal contexts, and ensure correct usage by differentiating it from the word "thought". By using "I was taught" effectively, you can clearly convey the origins of your understanding and abilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I received instruction

Uses a more formal vocabulary to convey the action of being taught.

I was trained in

Implies a more structured and disciplined form of teaching, often for a specific purpose.

I learned through instruction

Highlights the learning process resulting from the teaching.

I was schooled in

Suggests a more traditional or formal educational setting.

Someone showed me how

Focuses on the demonstration aspect of teaching, emphasizing practical skills.

I was mentored in

Highlights the guidance and support received from an experienced individual.

I gained knowledge of

Emphasizes the acquisition of information and understanding.

I studied

Indicates a focused and dedicated effort to learn a particular subject or skill.

My education included

Places the teaching within the broader context of one's overall learning experience.

I picked up

Suggests learning something informally, often through observation or experience.

FAQs

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

Use "I was taught" to explain the origin of a piece of knowledge or a skill you possess. For example, "I was taught to always be polite" shows where you learned the value of politeness.

What's a more formal alternative to "I was taught"?

Alternatives such as "I received instruction" or "I was trained" can be used in more formal contexts.

Is it better to say "I was taught" or "I learned"?

Both are correct, but "I was taught" emphasizes the source of the teaching, while "I learned" focuses on the acquisition of knowledge, regardless of the source.

What is the difference between "I was taught" and "I learned"?

"I was taught" implies a direct transfer of knowledge from a teacher, while "I learned" can refer to knowledge gained from any source, including personal experience.