being told about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being told about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to receiving information or updates regarding a specific topic or situation. Example: "I appreciate being told about the changes in the schedule ahead of time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What you are not being told about is the Weird Period.

Vice

What kinds of stories are being told about Muslims?

Columbia University

But I don't dig being told about it".

The New York Times - Magazine

Up there, I didn't dig being told about it either.

The New York Times - Magazine

Otherwise what is the story being told about our democracy?

The Guardian - Opinion

"Four blocks away is O.K.," she said after being told about the long-existing mosques.

The New York Times

Yes, I was being told about a speech David Cameron is going to give tomorrow.

Independent

Greater Good: In your book you investigate the stories we're not being told about where our food comes from.

University of California, Berkeley

I eventually dug up the same story being told about someone completely different — John Huston's son.

The Washington Post

But being told about what she said - that's when it hit me.

The Guardian

These are the qualities that have endeared him to his audience: people feel they are being told about their lives.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "being told about" when you want to emphasize the passive reception of information. This construction is suitable when the source of information is less important than the information itself.

Common error

Be specific about what information is "being told about". Vague sentences like "I was being told about it" lack clarity. Provide context: "I was "being told about" the new project guidelines."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being told about" functions as a passive gerund phrase followed by a preposition. It typically describes the state of receiving information on a particular topic, where the emphasis is on the recipient of the information rather than the source. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this construction in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "being told about" is a versatile construction used to express the reception of information. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a passive gerund phrase followed by a preposition and commonly appears in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While grammatically correct and widely used, it's important to ensure clarity by specifying the subject of the information received. Alternatives such as "being informed of" or "being notified about" offer subtle variations in formality and emphasis. Ultimately, "being told about" is a reliable way to convey that someone has been made aware of something, providing a neutral and effective means of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being informed of

Focuses more on the formal act of imparting knowledge.

being made aware of

Highlights the act of someone causing awareness.

being notified about

Emphasizes the act of receiving official notice or communication.

being apprised of

Suggests a more detailed and thorough informing.

hearing about

Is a more general and less formal way of expressing the reception of information.

learning about

Highlights the process of gaining knowledge.

finding out about

Indicates discovering information, often unexpectedly.

becoming aware of

Focuses on the realization or understanding of something.

getting wind of

Suggests receiving information informally or through rumors.

having knowledge of

Implies possession of information or understanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "being told about" to describe receiving information. For example, "I appreciated "being told about" the changes in advance" or "She was "being told about" the company's new policies during the meeting".

What are some alternatives to "being told about"?

Alternatives include "being informed of", "being notified about", "hearing about", or "learning about", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "being told about" or "being informed about"?

"Being informed about" is generally more formal and implies a deliberate act of conveying information, while "being told about" is more general and can encompass informal communication. Choose the phrase that best suits the tone and context of your writing.

What's the difference between "being told about" and "finding out about"?

"Being told about" implies that someone directly conveyed information to you. "Finding out about", on the other hand, suggests discovering information on your own or through indirect means.