i was contacted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was contacted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation where someone reached out to you, typically in a professional or formal context. Example: "I was contacted by the hiring manager regarding my application for the position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I was contacted by the KGB.

The Guardian

I was contacted for a reference/background check.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I was contacted by the UN about this for the first time this morning.

The Guardian

I was contacted many times over multiple days with requests to remove my review from Amazon.

The New York Times

To my surprise, I was contacted several weeks later by a lawyer.

The New Yorker

"I was contacted by a police officer who arrested a lady for breast ironing her daughter.

Independent

Two years ago, I was contacted by the wife of a band member of Slayer.

The New York Times

After I wrote about online astroturfing in December, I was contacted by a whistleblower.

The Guardian

I was contacted out of the blue about a work I had done 10 years ago..".

The Guardian - Arts

I was contacted by the police who said someone had a settled intention to kill me".

The Guardian

Earlier this year, I was contacted by Daisy Eris Campbell, his daughter.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, avoid using colloquial alternatives to "i was contacted". Stick to the original phrase or more formal synonyms like "i received communication" for a professional tone.

Common error

Avoid mixing active and passive voice within the same sentence when using "i was contacted". For example, don't say: "I was contacted by them and then I called them back". Instead, use: "I was contacted by them, and then they were called back".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i was contacted" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject (I) received communication from an unspecified agent. This grammatical structure is used to shift focus from the initiator of the contact to the recipient. Ludwig provides numerous examples that illustrate this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "i was contacted" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that you received communication from someone. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and prevalence across various sources. It's generally neutral in tone, suitable for both formal and informal communication, and primarily used in journalistic contexts. While it's a versatile phrase, remember to maintain consistency in voice and tense and provide clarifying details about the contact where necessary. Consider alternatives like "someone reached out to me" or "i received communication" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

someone reached out to me

Focuses on the initiator of the contact.

i received communication

Emphasizes the reception of a message or information.

i was approached by

Focuses on the act of being initiated or asked to do something.

i was notified

Emphasis is on receiving an official or important notice.

i heard from someone

Highlights the source of the communication being a person.

i was alerted

Implies that the communication served as a warning or drew attention to something.

communication was initiated with me

Formal and passive way to describe contact initiation.

i was informed

Indicates the reception of specific information.

i got in touch with

Expresses the start of mutual communication.

a person got ahold of me

Informal way to express that someone reached out.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "i was contacted"?

You can use alternatives like "someone reached out to me", "i received communication", or "i heard from someone" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "i was contact"?

No, "i was contact" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "i was contacted", using the past participle of the verb "to contact".

What is the difference between "i was contacted" and "i contacted"?

"I was contacted" indicates you were the recipient of communication, while "I contacted" means you initiated the communication. The first is passive voice, the second is active voice.

How to use "i was contacted" in a sentence?

Use "i was contacted" when you want to emphasize that someone else initiated the communication with you. For example, "i was contacted by the police" or "i was contacted by a recruiter".