be told about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be told about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to receiving information or being informed about a particular subject or event. Example: "I would like to be told about any updates regarding the project status."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The loss the public should be told about is far higher.

Independent

People need to be told about it.

Independent

"Or to be told about it".

The Guardian - Sport

He knows nothing that posterity needs to be told about".

The Guardian - Books

"I don't think I need to be told about it.

The Guardian - Sport

You can't be told about everything in the house.

The New Yorker

Instead, he "wanted to be told about the world".

The New Yorker

Similar stories can be told about women pursuing other careers.

The Guardian - Opinion

How much should the public be told about their arrival?

The Guardian - Film

If we cannot experience something ourselves, the next best is to be told about it.

Independent

Nor did Scotland Yard need to be told about the perils of terrorists using liquid explosives.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs like 'learn', 'discover', or 'understand' if the emphasis is on the acquisition of knowledge rather than simply being informed.

Common error

Overusing passive voice phrases like "be told about" can make your writing sound less direct and engaging. Opt for active voice where possible for a stronger impact, for example, use 'I learned about...' instead of 'I was told about...'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be told about" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone is the recipient of information. This construction is used to shift the focus from the person giving the information to the person receiving it. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's perfectly acceptable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be told about" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express the act of receiving information. According to Ludwig AI, it's perfectly usable in written English. While versatile, its passive nature means it's best used when the focus is on the recipient of information, not the source. For a stronger, more active voice, consider alternatives like "learn" or "discover". The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. Remembering these points will help you wield "be told about" with precision and clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be informed of

Emphasizes the act of formally receiving information or notification.

be notified of

Suggests a more official or formal communication of information.

receive information on

Focuses on the action of getting information about a particular topic.

learn about

Implies gaining knowledge or understanding about something.

be made aware of

Highlights the process of becoming conscious or cognizant of something.

be given details of

Refers to the act of receiving specific and comprehensive information.

be apprised of

A more formal way of saying "be informed of", often used in professional settings.

be kept in the loop regarding

Indicates being regularly updated on a particular situation or topic.

be enlightened about

Suggests receiving information that clarifies or improves understanding.

have knowledge of

Focuses on possessing information about something.

FAQs

How can I use "be told about" in a sentence?

You can use "be told about" to indicate that someone received information about something. For example, "The students need to "be told about" the changes to the exam schedule".

What is a more formal alternative to "be told about"?

A more formal alternative to "be told about" is "be informed of". It implies a more official or formal communication of information.

What's the difference between "be told about" and "learn about"?

"Be told about" implies receiving information passively, while "learn about" suggests a more active process of gaining knowledge or understanding.

Is it correct to use "be told of" instead of "be told about"?

While "be told of" is grammatically correct, "be told about" is more commonly used and sounds more natural in most contexts. "Be told about" is generally preferred when discussing a topic or event in detail.