am I told

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "am I told" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not a commonly used expression and may confuse readers due to its unusual structure. Example: "I wonder why am I told to wait here."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"I am," I told her, "and the funny thing is I've read it many times".

The New York Times

Being the beauty editor that I am, I told Dave they had to get them".

The New York Times - Style

Because I wanted this night to be special, O.K.?" So now we did hug, though the pupkit got between us, and, coward that I am, I told her everything was going to be all right.

The New Yorker

Why am I told I am not in the UK?

BBC

But, being the wary soul I am, I told the caller I wouldn't speak to him but would call the bank back.

BBC

"Yes, I am," I told him.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

So why am I telling you this?

The New Yorker

But why am I telling you this?

Independent

Why am I telling you all this?

The New Yorker

Why am I telling you this?

Los Angeles Times

What am I telling myself?

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer using standard passive voice constructions like "I was told" or "I am being told" for clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "am I told" as it deviates from standard English grammar. Use "was I told" or "have I been told" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "am I told" is an interrogative construction. While grammatically unusual and deemed incorrect, it seemingly attempts to inquire about whether the speaker is the recipient of information. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is not correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "am I told" is grammatically questionable and not recommended for formal writing. Ludwig AI flags it as incorrect in standard written English. While examples exist across News & Media, Science, and Business contexts, its non-standard structure suggests avoiding it in favor of clearer alternatives like "was I told" or "have I been told". Using more conventional phrasing enhances clarity and ensures grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was I informed

Replaces the passive voice construction with a more standard phrasing for receiving information.

was I advised

Suggests a recommendation or guidance was given, altering the nuance slightly.

was I instructed

Implies a more formal or direct order was given, changing the context.

did someone tell me

Shifts to an active voice construction, emphasizing the source of the information.

have I been told

Uses a present perfect passive construction to focus on the ongoing relevance of the information.

what I was told

Focuses on the content of the information received, rather than the act of telling.

I understand that

Shifts the focus to the speaker's comprehension, rather than the act of being told.

it is my understanding

Presents the information as the speaker's current understanding, which may have come from multiple sources.

I heard that

Indicates the information was received through hearsay or informal channels.

the message I received

Emphasizes the communication as a delivered message and not necessarily an instruction

FAQs

What is the correct way to ask if I received information?

Use phrases like "was I told" or "have I been told" which follow standard English grammar.

What can I say instead of "am I told"?

You can use alternatives like "was I informed" or "was I advised" depending on the context.

Is "am I told" grammatically correct?

No, "am I told" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct phrasing is "was I told" or "have I been told".

When should I use "was I told" versus "have I been told"?

"Was I told" refers to a specific instance in the past, while "have I been told" implies an ongoing or recently completed action with current relevance.