they are told

USAGE SUMMARY

'they are told' is a perfectly valid and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it when expressing that someone has been told a piece of information. For example: The power outage may last a few days. They are told to prepare for the possibility of an extended period without power.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Surrender," they are told.

The New York Times - Books

They are told.

The New York Times

what they are told.

The Guardian - Books

They will do as they are told.

The Economist

Fight for us, they are told.

Independent

The media do what they are told.

The Economist

People know more than they are told.

The New Yorker

They simply do as they are told.

The New Yorker

That is their right, they are told.

The New York Times

"It matters how they are told".

The New York Times - Books

"That's a group of blind firefighters," they are told.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they are told", ensure the context clearly indicates who is doing the telling. Clarity is key for effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "they are told" when a more active voice would be clearer and more direct. Overuse of passive voice can make writing sound vague and less engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are told" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a group is receiving information or instructions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and common phrase. The subject 'they' is the recipient of the action, and the verb 'are told' expresses the act of communicating information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they are told" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that a group has received information or instructions. As Ludwig AI confirms, this passive construction is versatile and suitable for diverse contexts, particularly in news, scientific writing, and formal communication. While it's crucial to ensure clarity by specifying who is doing the telling, overuse of this passive voice should be avoided for more engaging and direct writing. Understanding its function and purpose helps in effectively conveying how information is disseminated and received.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are informed

Focuses on the act of conveying knowledge, similar to being told, but with a slightly more formal tone.

they are instructed

Implies a more formal directive or command than simply being told.

they are directed

Emphasizes the act of being given specific directions or a course of action.

they receive instructions

This alternative highlights the reception of directions rather than the act of being informed.

they are advised

Suggests a recommendation or guidance is being provided, not necessarily a direct command.

they are notified

Highlights the act of formally informing someone about something.

they are apprised

This implies being formally informed of something, often something sensitive or important.

information is given to them

This is a more verbose and passive way of saying they are told, focusing on the information transfer.

they hear

A more general term, indicating awareness through auditory means, which could include being told.

they learn

This focuses on the acquisition of knowledge, which may or may not be through direct instruction.

FAQs

How can I use "they are told" in a sentence?

You can use "they are told" to indicate that a group of people receive information or instructions. For instance, "The employees "they are told" to arrive by 8 AM".

What's a more direct alternative to "they are told"?

Consider using a more direct alternative like "they learn", "they hear", or "they find out" depending on the context. For example, instead of ""they are told" the news", you could say "they heard the news".

Is it better to use an active or passive voice when using "they are told"?

While "they are told" is grammatically correct, using an active voice can often make your writing clearer and more engaging. For example, instead of ""they are told" by the manager", try "the manager told them".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "they are told"?

Similar phrases include "they are informed", "they are instructed", and "they receive instructions". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality you want to convey.