i was told

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was told" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are recounting something you were told by another person. For example, "I was told there was a party this evening at John's house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So I was told.

The New York Times

"I was told that".

The New York Times

Murder, I was told.

The New York Times

"Impossible," I was told.

The New York Times

Old age, I was told.

The New York Times

That's what I was told.

The Economist

I was told, not asked.

The New York Times - Magazine

I was told they did.

The New York Times

"I was told: 'You're crazy!

The New York Times

Or so I was told.

The New York Times

I was told no".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was told" when you want to attribute information to a source without explicitly naming them, especially when the source is known but keeping them anonymous is preferred.

Common error

While "I was told" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound passive and less engaging. Vary your sentence structure and consider rephrasing to use active voice where appropriate for a more direct and impactful style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was told" functions as a reporting verb construction. It introduces information that the speaker received from another source. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was told" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to relay information received from another, often unspecified, source. It's appropriate for a range of contexts, from formal news reports to casual conversations, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. The phrase functions as a reporting verb construction and serves to attribute information while sometimes distancing the speaker from its absolute truth. When writing, be mindful of overusing passive voice and consider whether a more direct, active construction might be more impactful. Remember that while specifying the source isn't always necessary, doing so can add credibility to your statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was informed

Formal way of saying that one has received information.

I heard

This alternative is more concise and implies information received, though it might lack the directness of a specific instruction.

According to what I was told

Adds a degree of uncertainty by explicitly referencing the source of information.

I understand

This expresses comprehension of something communicated, often implying acceptance or acknowledgement of the information.

I gathered

Indicates an accumulation of information from various sources to form a conclusion.

They said to me

Focuses on the speaker and the act of speaking, rather than just the reception of information.

I learned

Suggests acquiring knowledge through instruction or experience, not necessarily a direct telling.

It was communicated to me

More formal and emphasizes the act of communication, often used in professional contexts.

I received information that

Highlights the receipt of specific details, making it suitable for factual reporting.

The message I received was

Emphasizes the content of the communication and its impact on the recipient.

FAQs

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

You can use "I was told" to introduce information you received from someone else. For example, "I was told the meeting is postponed".

What are some alternatives to "I was told"?

Alternatives include "I heard", "I understand", or "I was informed", depending on the level of formality and context.

Is it always necessary to specify who told me something when using "I was told"?

No, it's not always necessary. You might choose not to name the source to protect their privacy or because the source is not important to the overall point. However, be aware that omitting the source can sometimes weaken your statement.

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

"I was told" implies direct communication, while "I learned" suggests a broader acquisition of knowledge, which could be through reading, experience, or observation, as well as being directly told something.