i've been told

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I've been told" is correct and usable in written English
You can use it when referring to information or advice that you have received from someone else. Example: "I've been told that the meeting has been rescheduled for next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(So I've been told).

Cornell University

Or so I've been told".

The New Yorker

That's what I've been told.

The New York Times

I've been told a million times.

The New York Times

I've been told I micro-manage!

Independent

It is Dec. 15th I've been told.

Harvard University

Definitely not, I've been told.

The Guardian

"Three times, I've been told".

The New York Times

"I've been told he will be back".

Independent

Again, I've been told it's normal".

The New York Times

But this time, I've been told nothing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "i've been told" to indicate that the information you are sharing comes from another source, which adds transparency to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "i've been told" as the sole basis for claims, especially in formal writing. Always strive to verify information from multiple sources to ensure accuracy and credibility.

Linguistic Context

I've been told functions as a reporting clause, used to introduce information or statements that the speaker has received from another source. Ludwig confirms its usability, indicating its role in conveying secondhand knowledge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "i've been told" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to relay information received from another source. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts, with a slight leaning towards informal communication. While frequently seen in news and media, its use in formal academic writing is less prevalent, where direct citations are preferred. When using "i've been told", ensure transparency about the source and verify information whenever possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i was informed

Replaces the conversational "told" with the more formal "informed".

i understand that

Shifts the focus to the speaker's understanding of the information.

it's my understanding that

Emphasizes that the information is based on the speaker's personal interpretation.

i've learned

Highlights the acquisition of knowledge.

i heard that

Implies the information might be less reliable, similar to hearsay.

it has come to my attention that

A formal way to indicate that the information was recently received.

according to someone

Directly attributes the information to an unspecified source.

sources say

Typical for journalistic contexts, indicating information from unnamed sources.

reportedly

Introduces information that has been reported, but not necessarily confirmed.

the word is

Informal, suggesting that the information is circulating widely.

FAQs

How can I use "i've been told" in a sentence?

You can use "i've been told" to introduce information you received from someone else, like "I've been told the meeting is postponed".

What can I say instead of "i've been told"?

Alternatives include "i was informed", "i understand that", or "i heard that" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "i've been told" in writing?

It's suitable when you want to acknowledge that your information is secondhand and to provide transparency about its origin. Use it carefully in formal contexts where direct sourcing is preferred.

What's the difference between "i've been told" and "i was informed"?

"I've been told" is more conversational, while "i was informed" is more formal. The choice depends on the tone and audience of your writing.