has been told

USAGE SUMMARY

"has been told" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to communicate that something that has happened, been revealed, or been instructed to someone in the past is still applicable in the present. Example: She has been told not to leave the house after dark.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It has been told before.

The New York Times

The story has been told.

Independent

This story has been told before.

The New York Times - Books

That story has been told.

The New York Times

Everything is fine, she has been told.

The New Yorker

Today the truth has been told.

The Guardian

"He has been told what happened.

The New York Times

Mr. Scott has been told as much.

The New York Times

But this story has been told before.

The Guardian - Books

He has been told he is shortsighted.

The Guardian

Allegations denied, truth has been told.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been told" to indicate that someone received information or instructions in the past that are still relevant or valid in the present. For example: "He has been told to report for duty tomorrow".

Common error

Avoid using "has been told" when referring to a single, completed event in the past with no present relevance. Instead, use the simple past tense, "was told". For example: Instead of "He has been told about the meeting yesterday", use "He was told about the meeting yesterday".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been told" functions as a passive perfect construction. It indicates that someone has received information, instructions, or a message at some point in the past, and this information remains relevant or consequential in the present. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been told" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to indicate that someone received information or instructions that remain pertinent. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a passive perfect construction, often implying an expectation for action based on the information received. The phrase's neutral register allows for broad applicability, particularly within news and media contexts. When writing, remember to use "has been told" when the information's relevance persists and avoid it when referring to purely past events. Consider using alternatives like "was informed" or "was advised" for nuanced meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was informed

Replaces the passive voice construction with a more direct phrasing.

received information

Emphasizes the act of receiving the information, rather than the telling.

was advised

Suggests a more formal or professional context of being told.

learned

Focuses on the acquisition of knowledge rather than the act of communication.

was made aware

Highlights the process of becoming conscious of something.

has knowledge of

Shifts the focus to possession of information.

understands

Implies comprehension and acceptance of the information.

is cognizant of

Introduces a more formal and intellectual tone.

was given to understand

Adds a nuance of indirect communication or implication.

is under the impression

Suggests a belief or assumption based on what was told.

FAQs

How can I use "has been told" in a sentence?

Use "has been told" to convey that someone received information or instructions at an earlier time that are still pertinent now. For example: "She "has been told" to arrive early for the interview".

What are some alternatives to using "has been told"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "was informed", "was advised", or "received instructions".

Is it correct to say "has been tell" instead of "has been told"?

No, "has been tell" is grammatically incorrect. The correct past participle of "tell" is "told". The correct phrase is ""has been told"".

What is the difference between "was told" and "has been told"?

"Was told" refers to a single instance of receiving information in the past. "Has been told" implies that the information or instruction received in the past is still relevant or in effect.