given a tip

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "given a tip" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to receiving advice or information that is helpful or beneficial. Example: "After being given a tip about the best restaurant in town, we decided to try it out for dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

I'd been given a tip to visit Smorgasburg, which describes itself as "a Brooklyn flea food market".

The Guardian

Mr. Sommerset, a Norwegian, found the house after being given a tip by a local Greek-Finnish friend.

The New York Times

Government prosecutors said she had been given a tip by her broker that the company's founder had been trying to offload his shares ahead of a damaging announcement.

The Guardian - Business

Most closings in New York also have a "closer," who is hired by the title company to keep tabs on the flow of paperwork and who is sometimes given a tip by the buyer.

The New York Times

It started when a talented and respected columnist was given a tip that the NFL was investigating the possibility that New England slightly deflated footballs in an AFC Championship Game they won by 38 points.

The Guardian - Sport

Editors at The New York Times were given a tip, and in the course of reading about her on Wikipedia (yes, newspaper editors read Wikipedia), saw that her death had already been listed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The pack then ran off: they'd been given a tip-off that Ava Gardner was on her way to a nightclub.

The Guardian

I had been given a tip-off from Chiswell that if I wanted to see the future of British toilets I should head to Wychavon in Worcestershire.

The Guardian

Over the past decade, I have been asked if the Guardian requested the correspondence between the prince and ministers for a specific period – September 2004 and April 2005 – because we had been given a tip-off that Charles had sent a particularly controversial letter to a minister.

The Guardian

(Evans wrote that he was often asked if he'd "been given a tip-off that Charles had sent a particularly controversial letter to a minister" in that period; the "more prosaic" answer was that they'd limited it to eight months because the government could "refuse requests if you ask for too much").

The New Yorker

He narrowly avoided assassination in July when his truck was intercepted between Torit and Kapoeta by soldiers who'd been given a tip-off.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "given a tip" when you want to indicate that someone received specific, actionable advice or information, especially if it led to a particular outcome or decision.

Common error

Avoid using "given a tip" when the advice is general or widely known. This phrase is most effective when the advice is specific, timely, and potentially valuable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "given a tip" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of receiving specific advice or information. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English and is suitable when referring to receiving helpful or beneficial advice. The examples show usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "given a tip" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes receiving specific and actionable advice. Ludwig AI indicates that it is suitable for various writing contexts. While not as formal as "received advice", it conveys a sense of practical, useful information being imparted. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media sources, with other contexts being less common. When using the phrase, focus on instances where specific, timely, and potentially valuable information is received. Alternatives like "offered a suggestion" or "provided guidance" may be suitable depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

passed along advice

Focuses on relaying or sharing counsel or recommendations.

offered a suggestion

Focuses on providing a suggestion rather than a specific piece of information or advice.

provided guidance

Highlights the act of offering direction or advice, often in a more formal context.

shared a secret

Implies the revelation of confidential or private information.

revealed insights

Highlights the act of uncovering or disclosing knowledge.

imparted information

Emphasizes the formal transfer of knowledge or facts.

handed over a clue

Suggests the provision of a piece of evidence or hint, often in a mystery or investigation context.

leaked inside scoop

Refers to divulging confidential details from an authoritative insider source.

divulged confidential advice

Emphasizes the act of revealing secret or private counsel.

presented intel

Highlights a carefully prepared briefing or report on important data.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "given a tip"?

To be "given a tip" means to receive a piece of advice or a helpful suggestion, often about something specific. It implies that the advice is intended to be useful or beneficial.

How can I use "given a tip" in a sentence?

You can use "given a tip" to describe someone receiving useful advice, for example, "I was "given a tip" about a great restaurant in town."

What can I say instead of "given a tip"?

Alternatives to "given a tip" include "received a suggestion", "offered guidance", or "passed along advice", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "given a tip" or "received advice"?

"Received advice" is generally more formal than ""given a tip"". The latter often implies more specific or actionable information.