it was not told

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was not told" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to information or a story that has not been communicated or shared. Example: "The details of the event were kept secret, and it was not told to anyone outside the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The Senate committee plans to pursue the question of why it was not told, one official said.

The New York Times

"It was told to the public, it was not told to the family," Father Adrian Gavigan said.

Independent

"Well, I don't know whether it was covered up or not, but it was not told to him," Horowitz replied.

The Washington Post

Russia was furious that it was not told in advance about a now defunct plan to seize the equivalent of $7.5 billion from Cypriot bank deposits – many of them held by Russian nationals.

The New York Times

The FSA is understood to be preparing to ask why it was not told about the US investigation into Goldman and Mr Tourre before Friday night, when the SEC announced the charges.

Independent

In an editorial, the China Daily newspaper said the test – which China has said it was not told about in advance by North Korea – was "risky, irresponsible and reckless".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Patten said it was not telling him to go, but it was not telling him to stay either.

The Guardian

The aircraft's manufacturer, Eurocopter, said it was not telling other operators of the EC 135 to ground their helicopters.

BBC

Eurocopter, which manufactures the EC 135, said it was not telling other operators to ground the model.

BBC

It's a total lie... perhaps it's not told maliciously but it's completely untrue.

HuffPost

It wasn't telling you how to think — it was telling you what to think about.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "it was not told", ensure the context clearly indicates who was not informed and who was responsible for not informing them. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it was not told" in situations where the agent responsible for the telling is unclear. Clarify by specifying who should have conveyed the information, making your sentence more direct and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was not told" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject did not receive certain information. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and use in written English. It emphasizes the lack of communication or disclosure.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

23%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was not told" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction that indicates a lack of communication or disclosure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile and appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about who was not informed and the responsible party. Alternatives such as "it was not revealed" or "it was not disclosed" can offer subtle differences in meaning, depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it wasn't disclosed

Emphasizes the lack of formal revelation or sharing of information.

it was kept secret

Highlights the deliberate withholding of information.

it remained unsaid

Focuses on the absence of verbal communication.

it wasn't revealed

Stresses that the information wasn't made known.

it was not communicated

Highlights the absence of any form of communication.

it was unmentioned

Indicates a lack of reference or acknowledgment.

the information was withheld

Highlights a deliberate act of keeping the information back.

it was not shared

Focuses on the absence of distribution or dissemination.

it was suppressed

Indicates that the information was actively prevented from being known.

knowledge of it was lacking

Shifts the focus to the absence of awareness or understanding.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was not told" to sound more active?

Consider using phrases like "nobody mentioned it", "they didn't inform us", or "the information wasn't disclosed". These alternatives create a more direct and engaging statement.

What is the difference between "it was not revealed" and "it was not told"?

"It was not told" specifically implies a lack of verbal or written communication, while "it was not revealed" suggests the information remained generally unknown through any means.

Is "it was not told" grammatically correct?

Yes, the phrase "it was not told" is grammatically sound. It follows the passive voice construction, indicating that someone or something did not receive information.

When is it appropriate to use "it was not disclosed" instead of "it was not told"?

Use "it was not disclosed" when referring to formal or official information that was deliberately kept secret or not made public. "It was not told" is more general and applies to any kind of information not shared.