is told of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is told of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that is recounted or narrated about a person, event, or situation. Example: "In the ancient texts, a great hero is told of, whose deeds inspired generations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Isn't it by the poolside that Benjamin is told of the wonders of plastics?" Dr. Gabbard said.

The New York Times - Style

"In the New Testament, a parable is told of two men.

The New York Times

An interesting story is told of why the Vermont delegation abandoned the "draft Coolidge" contingent.

The New York Times

(A similar tale is told of why Johnson & Johnson is in New Brunswick.

The New York Times

After a collective gasp, Tom is told of Chip's disability and grovels for forgiveness.

The New York Times

Lap 31: "Just keep trying, keep trying," Hamilton is told of his battle with Kubica.

The Guardian - Sport

The magistrate is told of her intellectual disability, yet it is rarely given consideration.

The Guardian - Opinion

He is told of an unusual situation that could undermine his authority in the locker room.

The New York Times - Sports

The same commune-to-capitalism, famine-to-feast story is told of Jamestown, the first English settlement, in 1607.

The New York Times

Throughout the Spider-Man trilogy, the story is told of Harry Osborn's determination to kill Spider-Man.

The Guardian - Film

The story is told of how two Ghanaian old ladies emerged from church one Sunday morning in June 1967.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is told of" when you want to emphasize that something is being recounted or narrated, often implying a story or legend being passed down.

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice, including constructions like "is told of", as it can make your writing sound indirect and less engaging. Prefer active voice where appropriate for clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is told of" functions as a passive construction, where the subject receives the action. It indicates that a story, event, or quality is being recounted or narrated about someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Wiki

16%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is told of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction for indicating that a narrative or story is being recounted. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's valid for use in various contexts, although writers should be mindful of overusing the passive voice. It appears most commonly in News & Media sources and can be effectively replaced with alternatives like "is recounted" or "is narrated" to achieve similar semantic effects. The phrase generally maintains a neutral to formal register, making it suitable for diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is recounted

Replaces "told" with "recounted", emphasizing the act of narrating a story or event.

is narrated

Replaces "told" with "narrated", focusing on the storytelling aspect.

is related

Replaces "told" with "related", highlighting the act of conveying information or a story.

is described

Replaces "told" with "described", emphasizing the detailed account provided.

is informed about

Shifts the focus to the act of informing someone about something.

is made aware of

Highlights the process of becoming conscious or knowledgeable about something.

hears about

Implies receiving information through listening.

is apprised of

A more formal way of saying someone is informed.

is filled in on

Suggests a complete briefing or update.

is briefed on

Focuses on providing concise and essential information.

FAQs

How can I use "is told of" in a sentence?

You can use "is told of" to describe something that is being recounted or narrated, often implying a story or legend. For example: "The story "is told of" a brave knight who saved the kingdom."

What can I say instead of "is told of"?

You can use alternatives like "is recounted", "is narrated", or "is related" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with phrases like "is told of"?

While "is told of" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make writing seem less direct. Consider using active voice when appropriate for clarity. For example, instead of "A story is told of him", you could say "People tell a story of him".

What's the difference between "is told of" and "is informed of"?

"Is told of" typically refers to a story or narrative being recounted, while "is informed of" indicates that someone receives specific information. The first implies a narrative, the second implies factual awareness.