he informed us that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrasal verb 'informed us that' is correct and usable in written English.
It is commonly used to introduce a statement someone has made. For example, "He informed us that the meeting had been cancelled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

(An addendum: When we contacted Crowe to ask about using an image, he informed us that he and Clayton wrote many of the letters while listening to The New Yorker's fiction podcasts: "Inspirational stuff!") Image courtesy of Mysterious Letters.

The New Yorker

He informed us that, despite his obsession with Isis, the No 1 security threat facing the US was nuclear.

The Guardian - Opinion

Presently he informed us that he was a ship's doctor.

The New Yorker

"He informed us that he had given [Fatima] talaq and left.

The Guardian

He informed us that his white pines were selling like hot cakes this year.

The New York Times - Arts

He informed us that the chef didn't like him to separate the appetizer and entrée orders for a table.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

He informs us that the owners have gone to bed.

The New Yorker

He informs us that he owns two pubs in the area, but now lives in Spain.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

McMurtry's parents lived in Archer County, Tex., a place, he informs us, that few would think of as paradise.

The New York Times - Books

He informs us that: "Remembrance of things past is not necessarily the remembrance of things as they were".

The Guardian - Music

He informs us that Virgil and Ovid told stories similar to Jephthah's, and he points us to where we can look them up.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he informed us that" to introduce factual statements or updates received from a specific source. It's suitable for formal and neutral contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "he informed us that" in casual conversation. Simpler alternatives like "he told us" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he informed us that" functions as a reporting clause, introducing information that was conveyed to a group. It serves to relay facts, updates, or announcements. As supported by Ludwig's examples, this construction is widely found in both formal and neutral contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he informed us that" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to introduce information conveyed from a specific source. It's commonly used across various contexts, with a higher prevalence in news and media, academia and science. While slightly more formal than alternatives like "he told us", its widespread use in reputable sources, confirmed by Ludwig AI, makes it a reliable choice for formal, neutral, and even some informal communications. When choosing alternatives, keep the context in mind; while "he told us" might be more suitable for casual conversations, "he informed us that" offers a level of formality suitable for professional and academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he told us that

This alternative uses a more common and informal verb for conveying information.

he let us know that

This alternative emphasizes the act of making information known to someone.

he advised us that

This suggests a more formal and advisory communication.

he communicated to us that

This emphasizes the act of conveying a message.

he notified us that

This implies a formal announcement or update.

he reported to us that

This suggests a formal reporting of information.

he mentioned to us that

This indicates a casual or brief communication.

he revealed to us that

This suggests uncovering previously unknown information.

he disclosed to us that

This implies a formal or official sharing of information.

he apprised us that

This is a more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying he informed us.

FAQs

What is a synonym for "he informed us that"?

Synonyms include "he told us that", "he let us know that", and "he notified us that". The best choice depends on the formality and context of the communication.

How can I use "he informed us that" in a sentence?

You can use "he informed us that" to introduce a piece of information someone conveyed, like "He informed us that the project deadline had been extended."

Is "he informed us that" formal or informal?

"He informed us that" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. In very casual contexts, consider using "he told us" instead.

What's the difference between "he informed us that" and "he told us that"?

While similar, "he informed us that" is slightly more formal and suggests a more deliberate act of conveying information compared to the more general "he told us that".