I wasn't told

USAGE SUMMARY

"I wasn't told" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone had not been informed about something. For example, "I wasn't told the meeting had been cancelled".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

I wasn't told that".

Independent

I wasn't told".

The Guardian - Sport

I wasn't told to approach it on bended knee.

The New York Times - Travel

"No, I wasn't told that," Choike said.

The Guardian

"I wasn't told how parents tell their kids today".

The New York Times - Style

I wasn't told what do I have to wait for.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

But I wasn't telling him that.

The Guardian

"I wasn't telling anyone what I was going through".

The New York Times

"I wasn't telling people how to judge".

The New York Times - Sports

"I wasn't telling them anything about the place.

The New York Times

But I knew it, and I wasn't telling anybody".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms like "I wasn't informed" or "I didn't receive any information" to avoid repetition.

Common error

Avoid using a past perfect tense in the main clause when "I wasn't told" is in the past simple. For instance, it's better to say "I wasn't told about the change, so I missed the deadline" instead of "I wasn't told about the change, so I had missed the deadline".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I wasn't told" functions as a passive construction indicating a lack of communication to the speaker. It highlights that the speaker was not the recipient of certain information. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I wasn't told" is a grammatically sound and very common way to express a lack of information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, and science. To enhance your writing, remember to clarify who should have provided the information and consider using synonyms like "I wasn't informed" or "I didn't receive any information" for variety. Also, be mindful of maintaining consistent verb tenses in related clauses. By following these guidelines, you can effectively and clearly convey your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I wasn't informed

Replaces "told" with "informed", emphasizing the lack of formal notification.

I wasn't notified

Highlights the absence of an official notification.

I didn't receive any information

Focuses on the absence of information received by the speaker.

I wasn't made aware

Emphasizes the lack of awareness due to not being informed.

I wasn't given any details

Focuses on the absence of specific details provided.

I wasn't apprised of the situation

Uses a more formal tone to indicate a lack of awareness about a situation.

I had no knowledge of

Emphasizes a complete lack of awareness.

I wasn't kept in the loop

Indicates exclusion from a group that shares information.

I was left in the dark

Uses a figurative expression to describe a lack of information.

Nobody mentioned it to me

Highlights that no one communicated the information to the speaker.

FAQs

What does "I wasn't told" mean?

The phrase "I wasn't told" means that the speaker did not receive information about something, implying a lack of communication or notification.

How can I use "I wasn't told" in a sentence?

You can use "I wasn't told" to express that you were not informed about something, for example, "I wasn't told about the meeting, so I didn't attend".

What can I say instead of "I wasn't told"?

You can use alternatives like "I wasn't informed", "I didn't receive any information", or "I wasn't notified depending on the context.

Is "I wasn't told" formal or informal?

"I wasn't told" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "I wasn't apprised of" exist for highly formal situations.