had been told

USAGE SUMMARY

"had been told" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that something happened in the past before something else happened. For example, "He had been told not to go outside, but he went anyway."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Nice, Mrs. Eberle early had been told.

The New Yorker

They had been told the same thing".

The New York Times

He had been told the price.

The New Yorker

I explained what I had been told.

The New York Times - Health

I had been told lies about myself.

The Guardian - Opinion

He had been told she had asthma.

The New York Times - Health

She said Ms. Conte had been told as much.

The New York Times

And he did all that he had been told".

The New Yorker

He had been told never to mention it.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Now some of them had been told they couldn't vote.

Huffington Post

Neither parent wondered about what they had been told.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been told", ensure the context provides clarity on who delivered the information. If relevant, specify the source to enhance credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "had been told" when the simple past tense is sufficient. Overusing the past perfect can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex. Use it only when you need to specify that the telling happened before another past event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been told" functions as the passive perfect form of the verb 'tell'. It indicates that someone received information or instructions at a time prior to another event in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been told" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates the passive reception of information at a point prior to another event in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usefulness in English writing.

It's most commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Academia sources. While seemingly straightforward, correct usage involves careful attention to tense to avoid ambiguity and ensure clear communication. By considering context and available alternatives, writers can effectively employ "had been told" to convey the intended meaning. Remember to specify from whom you had been told, when possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was informed

Focuses on the reception of information.

was advised

Suggests a more formal or professional context where guidance was given.

had learned

Implies gaining knowledge, not necessarily through direct communication.

was instructed

Indicates that someone received a specific directive or order.

received word

Suggests a message was received, often indirectly.

was given to understand

Indicates an implicit understanding rather than explicit telling.

was apprised of

A more formal way of saying someone was informed.

had it on good authority

Highlights the reliability of the source of information.

was made aware

Emphasizes the act of bringing something to someone's attention.

was filled in

Suggests that someone was given complete information.

FAQs

How is "had been told" used in a sentence?

"Had been told" indicates that someone received information before a specific time in the past. For example, "She "had been told" the meeting was canceled, so she didn't go."

What are some alternatives to "had been told"?

Alternatives include "was informed", "was advised", or "was instructed". The best choice depends on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was told" instead of "had been told"?

Both are correct, but they have different meanings. "Was told" generally refers to a single event in the past, while "had been told" indicates an action completed before another point in the past. Example: "He "was told" to wait." vs. "He "had been told" to wait before the meeting started."

What's the difference between "had been told" and "had learned"?

"Had been told" implies receiving information from someone, while "had learned" suggests gaining knowledge through experience, study, or observation. One is direct communication, the other is indirect acquisition of knowledge.