he was briefed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was briefed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone has been given information or instructions about a particular subject or situation. Example: "Before the meeting, he was briefed on the latest developments in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Simpson sent Elias nothing on paper — he was briefed orally.

The New Yorker

He was briefed on the attacks Friday by his counter-terrorism adviser Lisa Monaco.

Independent

"He was briefed on it," Mr. Fleischer said, "and that sufficed".

The New York Times

Mr. Maloney said he was briefed on the meeting, which Ms. Walkin refused to discuss.

The New York Times

Cameron told Mitchell he would have to resign after he was briefed on the email.

The Guardian

Derek Jeter was supportive of the project as soon as he was briefed on it.

The New York Times - Sports

But the mayor has acknowledged that he was briefed by senior executives on company developments after taking office.

The New York Times

Mr. Skelton said he was briefed by the Army and was told it is investigating such assertions.

The New York Times

When he was appointed as head of the Met in 1993, he was briefed on a number of corrupt officers.

The Guardian

In August 1944, he was briefed on RAE collaboration with the Miles company on the revolutionary M52 jet.

The Guardian

As he was briefed on other potential initiatives, most of them centered on the flagship campus, Mr. Sharp imagined the news conferences he might get to hold.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "he was briefed", ensure the context clearly indicates who provided the briefing and what information was conveyed for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "he was briefed" when the situation involves casual or informal information exchange. A briefing typically implies a structured and prepared communication, so choose a more appropriate phrase like "he was informed" or "he learned" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was briefed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone received information or instructions. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct and widely applicable, particularly in formal contexts. The examples demonstrate how it is used to convey that a person was given specific, often prepared, information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he was briefed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction to indicate that someone received specific information or instructions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and particularly common in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context implies a structured communication, and consider alternatives like "he was informed" for less formal scenarios. Understanding the nuances of its usage will enhance the clarity and precision of your writing. It is important to distinguish it from phrases like "he was notified", which implies a basic awareness rather than a detailed presentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was informed

A more general term indicating that information was conveyed, without specifying the format or depth.

he received instructions

Focuses on the receipt of directives or commands rather than general information.

he was updated

Suggests that he received new or current information, implying a prior awareness of the subject.

he was apprised of

A more formal alternative, indicating that he was officially informed of something.

he was made aware of

Emphasizes that he gained knowledge or understanding of a particular matter.

he was filled in on

An informal alternative, suggesting that he was given all the necessary details.

he was advised

Indicates that he received counsel or recommendations regarding a specific matter.

he learned about

A broader term implying the acquisition of knowledge through any means, not necessarily a formal briefing.

he was coached

Suggests that he received specific training or guidance to prepare for a task or situation.

he was schooled

Informal term for being taught or corrected about something.

FAQs

How can I use "he was briefed" in a sentence?

You can use "he was briefed" to indicate that someone received specific information or instructions. For example, "He was briefed on the new company policy before the meeting".

What are some alternatives to "he was briefed"?

Alternatives include "he was informed", "he received instructions", or "he was updated", depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when saying someone received a briefing?

Using the active voice (e.g., "Someone briefed him") emphasizes the person giving the briefing. The passive voice ("he was briefed") emphasizes the recipient of the briefing. Choose the voice that best fits the focus of your sentence.

What is the difference between "he was briefed" and "he was notified"?

"He was briefed" implies a more detailed and structured presentation of information. "He was notified" simply means he was made aware of something, often without the same level of detail.