are told of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are told of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to information or stories that are communicated to someone. Example: "In the meeting, we are told of the new policies that will be implemented next quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

All across the country stories are told of teachers, a psychologist, and a principal who dedicated their lives to children.

Huffington Post

Outside India, however, rather different tales are told of him.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"She sings and hums," we are told of Hana.

The New York Times - Books

The winners are told of their prize by telephone.

The New York Times - Arts

Patients are told of risks and benefits before any procedure.

The New York Times

(Players are not penalized for testing positive, but teams are told of the results).

The New York Times - Sports

Prisoners are told of their impending execution only moments before it is carried out.

The New York Times

We are told of "vigorous and joyful intercourse" and of "rustic copulations on the hillsides".

The New York Times - Books

Tales are told of military actions in which skis played an important role.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

And he thinks callers are told of the fee when they make an appointment.

The Washington Post

When participants are told of their treatment allocation, it is important that the research staff show sensitivity to the situation.

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are told of" when you want to emphasize that someone is receiving information, often in the form of a story, account, or announcement.

Common error

Avoid using "are told of" when you mean to convey immediate, direct communication. Instead of saying "Customers are told of the sale at the register", use "Customers are informed about the sale at the register".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are told of" functions as a passive reporting verb phrase, indicating that someone is the recipient of information or a narrative. Ludwig shows this phrase is often used to convey stories, announcements, or details of events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are told of" is a versatile construction used to indicate the receipt of information, narratives, or announcements. Ludwig highlights that it frequently appears in news reports, academic papers, and other informative contexts. Although grammatically sound, it's important to consider the context to determine if a more direct or active phrasing might be more appropriate. Ludwig AI also indicates that alternative phrases like "are informed about" or "are made aware of" can offer subtle shifts in emphasis depending on the communicative intent. Use "are told of" when you want to stress that someone is receiving information, particularly in the form of a story or account.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are informed about

Focuses on the act of receiving information, often implying a formal context.

are made aware of

Highlights the process of becoming conscious of something.

are notified of

Suggests a formal or official communication.

hear about

Implies a more casual or indirect way of receiving information.

learn about

Focuses on gaining knowledge or understanding.

are apprised of

A more formal and less common way of saying "are informed".

are given details of

Emphasizes the provision of specific information.

are briefed on

Suggests a concise and focused delivery of information, often in a professional setting.

are enlightened about

Highlights the idea of gaining insight or understanding.

are let in on

Implies sharing confidential or insider information.

FAQs

How can I use "are told of" in a sentence?

You can use "are told of" to indicate that someone is receiving information, often in the form of a narrative or account. For example, "Students "are told of" the importance of regular attendance".

What's a formal alternative to "are told of"?

A more formal alternative to "are told of" is "are informed about". This phrase is suitable for professional or academic contexts where a direct and clear conveyance of information is needed.

Is "are told of" interchangeable with "hear about"?

While both phrases involve receiving information, "are told of" implies a more direct and deliberate communication, whereas "hear about" suggests a more casual or indirect way of learning something.

When is it appropriate to use "are made aware of" instead of "are told of"?

"Are made aware of" is best used when highlighting the process of someone becoming conscious of something, while "are told of" focuses more on the act of receiving information. Consider: "Employees "are made aware of" the risks" versus "Employees "are told of" the company's history".