is told otherwise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is told otherwise" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone has received a different version of events or information. For example, "I heard that he wanted to quit his job, but he is told otherwise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General Usage

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"We will continue to enforce the no-fly zone until the world is told otherwise," Mr. Bush said.

The New York Times

Unless – or until – he is told otherwise McClaren intends to ensure Newcastle finish above Aston Villa, Norwich and Sunderland.

The Guardian - Sport

Reid added that he is not on a "crusade" but until he is told otherwise he will continue to pursue anyone believed to have libelled McAlpine.

The Guardian

But I repeat, it's a routine mission, and we will continue to enforce the no-fly zone until the world is told otherwise.

The New York Times

Aaron Albright, a spokesman at the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said that insurers would not receive termination notices, but could assume that an individual's coverage ends on Dec. 31 unless the insurer is told otherwise by the government.

The New York Times

Newcastle are hoping to have Benítez in the technical area – or at least watching from the stands – when they visit the Premier League leaders, Leicester City, on Monday evening but, despite his position looking untenable, McClaren will continue to prepare for that fixture until he is told otherwise.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"I have not been told otherwise".

The Guardian - Sport

"Until I'm told otherwise, yeah, I do," Curry said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Exercise planning will continue until we are told otherwise".

The Guardian

The university later said it had been told otherwise by Dr. Hawking's office.

The New York Times

Unless it was told otherwise, AT&T was sending out the detailed bills.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is told otherwise" to indicate a provisional state, where actions or beliefs are maintained until new or contradictory information is received. It is useful when clarifying that current actions depend on future updates.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "is told otherwise" implies deception or misinformation. It simply denotes a change in instructions or information, not necessarily an intent to mislead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is told otherwise" functions as a qualifying expression indicating that a current action or belief is contingent upon receiving different or updated information. It essentially sets a condition that can alter the course of action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is told otherwise" is a versatile phrase that indicates a conditional state, suggesting that actions or beliefs are subject to change upon receiving new information. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable across various contexts, though it appears most frequently in news and media. Remember to use this phrase when you want to convey that a situation is provisional and dependent on future instructions. Be mindful not to confuse it with terms implying misinformation; "is told otherwise" simply refers to a change in information, not necessarily an error or deception.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is informed differently

Emphasizes the act of being informed with new or conflicting information.

gets conflicting information

Stresses the presence of contradictory data.

learns the opposite

Focuses on acquiring contradictory knowledge.

receives alternative instructions

Focuses on the reception of different instructions.

finds out something different

Focuses on the discovery of new or contradictory information.

is given new directives

Highlights the act of receiving updated or different directions.

hears a different version

Highlights the reception of a divergent account.

is notified of a change

Emphasizes the formal notification of an alteration.

is advised to the contrary

Formal way of saying that someone receives opposite advice.

is corrected on that matter

Highlights the act of being corrected about a specific issue.

FAQs

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

You can use "is told otherwise" to indicate that someone will continue with a plan or action until they receive new or different instructions. For example, "We will continue our preparations until we "are told otherwise"".

What's a more formal alternative to "is told otherwise"?

A more formal alternative would be "is informed to the contrary" or "is advised otherwise". These options are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is it always necessary to specify who "tells otherwise"?

No, it is not always necessary. The context often implies who the informing party is. However, for clarity, especially in formal writing, specifying the source of the new information is recommended.

How does "is told otherwise" differ from "is misinformed"?

"Is told otherwise" simply means receiving new or different information, whereas "is misinformed" implies receiving incorrect or misleading information. The former is neutral, while the latter carries a negative connotation.