are told that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are told that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when conveying information that someone has received from another source or authority. Example: "Students are told that they must submit their assignments by Friday to avoid penalties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The press should insure that Americans are told that story.

Huffington Post

We are told that van Gogh killed himself because he was depressed or crazy or both.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Maybe that's because I'm coming from a culture where you are told that was wrong, you know?

BMC Cancer

We are told that they've since reconciled.

The New Yorker

They are told that they should be reckless and ruthless.

The New Yorker

AMERICANS are told that their country has no queen.

The Economist

Children are told that two helpers are better than one.

The New York Times

We are told that he did not die.

The New York Times

Members are told that the company is "solvent".

The Guardian - Money

We are told that al-Qaida may have infiltrated MI5.

The Guardian - Opinion

They are told that normal overtime rules will apply.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are told that" when you want to emphasize that the information comes from a specific source or authority, rather than being a universally accepted fact.

Common error

Avoid using "are told that" excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise verbs like "informed", "advised", or "reported" to enhance clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are told that" functions as a passive reporting verb construction. It indicates that the subject receives information from an unspecified source. This is supported by Ludwig AI's analysis, confirming its role in conveying information received from another source.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are told that" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate the receipt of information from an external source. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usefulness in conveying instructions or news across various contexts. While suitable for both neutral and slightly formal settings, consider using more precise verbs in academic writing. The examples in Ludwig demonstrate its frequent use in news and media, highlighting its role in reporting information to a wide audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are informed that

Emphasizes the act of receiving information, often in a formal setting.

are advised that

Suggests a recommendation or counsel being given.

are instructed that

Implies a specific direction or order being given.

it is reported that

Highlights the reporting of information, often from an external source.

it is said that

Conveys information that is generally known or rumored.

are made aware that

Focuses on the act of becoming conscious or knowledgeable.

are given to understand that

Indicates an implicit or indirect communication of information.

it's been brought to their attention that

Highlights the act of something being noticed.

it is brought to their knowledge that

Similar to the previous one but more formal.

they learn that

Focuses on the process of gaining knowledge.

FAQs

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

The phrase "are told that" is used to indicate that someone has received information from an external source. For example, "Students "are told that" attendance is mandatory."

What's a more formal alternative to "are told that"?

In formal writing, consider using phrases like "are informed that" or "are advised that" to convey the same meaning with a higher degree of formality.

Is it correct to say "are told to" instead of "are told that"?

The phrases "are told to" and "are told that" have different meanings. "Are told to" implies an instruction or command, while "are told that" indicates the conveyance of information. For instance, "They "are told to" be quiet" (instruction) versus "They "are told that" the meeting is postponed" (information).

Which is more common, "are told that" or "were told that"?

The choice between "are told that" and "were told that" depends on the tense of the sentence. "Are told that" is present tense, while "were told that" is past tense. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the timing of the information being conveyed. Example: "They "are told that" the deadline is today". "They "were told that" the deadline was yesterday".