informed

USAGE SUMMARY

"informed" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it in sentences where you are talking about being given information or knowledge about something. For example: "The meeting informed me of the latest developments in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Should Fifa fail to do so, we have informed them that we will reassess our sponsorship".

The Guardian - Sport

"By understanding the whole picture we can all make informed decisions about what we consume," says Turner.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, had earlier informed government officials that other copies of the files existed outside the country and that the Guardian was neither the sole recipient nor steward of the files leaked by Snowden, a former NSA contractor.

The Guardian

The facility was even unknown to Rob Warden, the founder of Northwestern University Law School's Center on Wrongful Convictions, until the Guardian informed him of the allegations of clients who vanish into inherently coercive police custody.

The Guardian

They've come this far by being dedicated, tenacious, deeply informed on the issue and on board policy, and by regularly meeting among themselves and attending most of the meetings.

The Guardian - Opinion

He says he was informed this month that the club wanted to reduce the salary and were offering a shorter-term than initially agreed when he joined the club.

The Guardian - Sport

Those agencies follow a defined oversight chain, detailing who in the executive branch can approve intelligence operations and who in the legislature must be informed about them.

The Guardian

Shops get in on the act too, and I'm indebted to @andrea_wulf for this one: Fussbodenschleifmaschinenverleih, I'm reliably informed, is the place to turn to if you need your wooden floors sanded down.

The Guardian

They are very well read and very well informed.

The Guardian

Has this story really informed citizens or animated democracy?

The Guardian - Opinion

The economy characteristic of those years informed everything about her – the way she dressed, her reserved speech, the pared-back working method, the attitude to equipment, the reluctance to talk about her work.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "informed" when you want to emphasize that someone has received specific information, especially if that information is important for making a decision or taking action.

Common error

Be careful not to use "informed" when you really mean someone has strong opinions. Being "informed" means possessing knowledge, while being "opinionated" means holding strong beliefs, which may or may not be based on factual information.

Linguistic Context

The word "informed" primarily functions as an adjective, describing a state of having knowledge or being aware of specific information. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts, such as "deeply informed on the issue" or "genuinely informed, engaged and empowered patients". It also appears as the past participle of the verb "inform", indicating the action of providing information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "informed" functions primarily as an adjective or past participle indicating the state of possessing knowledge or awareness. According to Ludwig, it is used in various contexts, from describing individuals who are well-versed on a topic to indicating that someone has been notified of specific information. The term carries a generally neutral tone but can become more formal in business or academic settings. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is appropriate for use in written English. To ensure clarity, avoid confusing "informed" with having strong opinions. Using the word "informed" correctly will strengthen your writing and convey a clear message of knowledge and awareness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apprised

A more formal synonym for "informed", often used in legal or official contexts.

knowledgeable

Focuses more on possessing knowledge generally, rather than receiving specific information.

made aware

A simple and direct way of saying someone has been given information.

up-to-date

Implies having the latest information on a particular topic.

briefed

Suggests a formal or official imparting of information.

well-versed

Indicates a thorough and comprehensive understanding of a topic.

acquainted

Implies a basic familiarity with a subject.

conversant

Implies being able to discuss a topic intelligently due to having sufficient knowledge.

enlightened

Emphasizes gaining a deeper understanding or insight.

au fait

A French term meaning "familiar with", often used in sophisticated contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "informed" in a sentence?

You can use "informed" to describe someone who has knowledge about something, as in "The public should be better "informed about" it". It can also mean "having knowledge of a fact", as in "The editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, had earlier "informed government officials"".

What's the difference between "informed" and "knowledgeable"?

"Informed" means having specific information about something, while "knowledgeable" means having a general understanding or expertise. You might be "informed about" the details of a new policy, but "knowledgeable about" the entire field of political science.

Which is correct, "informed of" or "informed about"?

Both "informed of" and "informed about" are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "Informed of" is often used to introduce a specific fact or piece of information, while "informed about" is used to introduce a general topic. For instance, you might be "informed of a meeting time" or "informed about the risks".

What are some alternatives to "informed"?

Depending on the context, you could use words like "knowledgeable", "up-to-date", or "briefed". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.