he was told

USAGE SUMMARY

"he was told" is a perfectly acceptable part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used in the past, present, or future tense, and is usually used to convey that someone has been informed of something by another person. For example: "He was told that he needed to be at work on time every day" or "He will be told the results of the test next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Nothing," he was told.

The New Yorker

Yes, he was told.

The New York Times

No, he was told.

The New York Times - Sports

Early March, he was told.

The New Yorker

April 1st, he was told.

The New Yorker

"Jamal Crawford," he was told.

The New York Times - Sports

"It wasn't," he was told.

Independent

He was told to desist.

The New Yorker

No meetings, he was told.

The New York Times - Sports

"You did," he was told.

The New York Times

He was told: "Everyone is an amateur".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was told" to avoid revealing who provided the information.

Common error

Avoid replacing "he was told" with an active construction (e.g., "someone told him") if the speaker is unknown or unimportant to the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was told" functions as a passive construction used to report information conveyed to a male subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. This construction allows the writer to focus on the recipient of the information rather than the source.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he was told" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves to report information given to a male subject, often without specifying the source. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly found in news and media, as well as scientific writing, indicating its versatility across different registers. When writing, use this phrase to emphasize the recipient of information or to maintain a passive voice. Keep in mind alternative phrasing like "he was informed" or "he was advised" for slight variations in meaning. With its neutral tone and broad applicability, "he was told" is a reliable choice for clear and concise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was informed

Emphasizes the act of conveying information to him.

he was instructed

Suggests a more formal or authoritative direction.

he was advised

Implies a more formal recommendation or guidance.

he was notified

Indicates an official or formal announcement.

he received instruction

Focuses on the act of receiving instruction rather than the act of being told.

he was given to understand

Suggests a subtle or indirect form of communication.

he learned

Highlights the acquisition of knowledge, without specifying the source.

he was apprised of

Implies a detailed and thorough explanation.

he heard

A more general term that doesn't necessarily imply direct communication.

he was ordered

Suggests a command or a mandatory instruction.

FAQs

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

"He was told" introduces information conveyed to a male subject, as in "He was told to wait" or "He was told it was not". This phrase is useful when the source of the information is unknown, irrelevant, or you wish to avoid actively attributing the information.

What are some alternatives to "he was told"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "he was informed", "he was advised", or "he received instruction" to convey similar meanings with slight variations in formality or emphasis.

Is "he was told" formal or informal?

"He was told" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The surrounding language and the overall tone of the writing will influence the perceived formality.

What's the difference between "he was told" and "he learned"?

"He was told" specifically indicates that information was conveyed to him by someone. "He learned" is broader and implies that he acquired the information through any means, not necessarily direct communication.