just told that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just told that" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey that someone has recently been informed about something, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "I was just told that the meeting has been rescheduled."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

I was just told that".

The New York Times - Sports

I often think that if I just told that friend how their omelette ended up on their plate, or that stranger in the fur coat how the mink or coyote that had worn it before had suffered, perhaps they'd reconsider.

The Guardian - Opinion

He just told that he doesn't have friends, right?

The New York Times

I was just told that I fall into the 1% range of getting Shingles over and over again.

Harvard University

We don't have the money in hand; we are just told that it will show up.

The New York Times

"We were just told that they had their differences with Mr. Soltani.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

I'm just telling that story and appreciating it".

The New York Times

"Did you just tell that lady you're a doctor?" Amy would ask.

The New Yorker

When that old lady talking language, I hear her, I just tell that [male] doctor, 'She don't want to see you, she want to see a female doctor'".

BMC Health Services Research

Or, you can just tell that toddler to leave your igloo.

WikiHow

"I can just tell that it's completely different.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace the phrase "just told that" with grammatically correct alternatives such as "was just told that" or "was recently informed that" for clarity and professionalism.

Common error

Ensure that passive voice constructions are complete. Instead of saying "just told that", use the full passive construction, which includes a form of the verb 'to be' (e.g., "was just told that", "have been told that").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just told that" functions as an incomplete passive construction. As Ludwig AI points out, it requires a form of the verb "to be" to be grammatically correct. The intended function is to indicate that someone has recently received information.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "just told that" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English. While it appears in various sources, including news and media, it lacks the necessary auxiliary verb to form a complete passive construction. According to Ludwig AI, it's essential to use alternatives like "was just told that" or "was recently informed that" to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy. For formal writing and professional communication, adopting these alternatives enhances the credibility and precision of the message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was just informed that

Replaces "told" with "informed" to give a more formal tone and emphasizes the act of receiving information.

was recently told that

Adds "recently" to highlight the recency of the information received.

have just been told that

Uses the present perfect tense to emphasize the immediacy of the information.

just learned that

Shifts the focus to the act of learning or discovering the information.

was just advised that

Implies a formal recommendation or instruction was given.

it was just communicated that

Highlights the act of communication of the information, often in a formal setting.

have just received word that

A more idiomatic expression emphasizing the receipt of news or information.

I understand that

Focuses on comprehension and acknowledgement of existing knowledge.

I was given to understand that

Indicates the information was conveyed indirectly or subtly.

they just explained that

Specifies that information was communicated to clarify something.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say I received information recently?

Instead of saying "just told that", you can use grammatically correct alternatives such as "I was just told that" or "I was recently informed that". These options provide clarity and proper structure.

Which is correct, "just told that" or "was just told that"?

"Was just told that" is the correct and grammatically sound option. "Just told that" is an incomplete phrase and should be avoided in formal writing.

What can I use instead of "just told that" to sound more professional?

For a more professional tone, you can use phrases like "I was recently informed that" or "I have just been told that". These alternatives are more formal and grammatically accurate.

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

You can use "was just told that" in sentences such as "I was just told that the meeting has been postponed" or "She was just told that she received a promotion."