they were informed

USAGE SUMMARY

"they were informed" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone has received information about something. For example, "The city's residents were informed of the upcoming changes to local public transportation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were informed of all aspects of the study and signed the informed consent.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Informed consent was signed by all participants after they were informed about the study.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

They were informed about the study and were enabled to ask further information.

Plosone

They were informed Sunday night of her death.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

These, they were informed, had belonged to Hitler.

The New Yorker

They were informed the case was to be closed.

The Guardian - Music

(Otherwise, they were informed, the upstairs neighbors could hear everything).

The New York Times

Police said they were informed by someone watching the stream.

The Guardian

The police declined to say how they were informed.

The New York Times

The Boarts family told the Montgomery Advertiser they were informed there had been a fatality.

The Washington Post

They were informed that they would not receive the dictator's donation.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were informed" in formal writing, ensure the context clearly indicates the source and nature of the information.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive voice constructions like "they were informed" when a more direct, active voice would make the sentence clearer and more impactful. For instance, instead of "They were informed of the decision", consider "The manager informed them of the decision".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were informed" functions as a passive construction indicating that a group received specific information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English. Examples show its use in reporting news, describing research procedures, and conveying events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were informed" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that a group of individuals received information. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a usable element in written English. This phrase is most commonly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When writing, it is important to be mindful of the passive voice and consider if an active voice would make your writing more direct and impactful. Alternatives like "they were notified" or "they were told" can be used depending on the level of formality and desired emphasis. The high usage and presence across credible sources solidify its reliability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were notified

A direct synonym replacement, maintaining a similar level of formality.

they were made aware

Focuses on the resulting state of awareness after receiving the information.

they were updated

Indicates that they received the latest information on a particular subject.

they received notification

Replaces 'informed' with 'notification', emphasizing the act of receiving official notice.

they were apprised of

A more formal and sophisticated way of saying they were informed.

they learned

Implies gaining knowledge through the information received.

they were briefed

Suggests a more structured and detailed delivery of information, often for a specific purpose.

they were told

A simpler, more direct alternative, suitable for informal contexts.

they had been advised

Implies that guidance or recommendations were given along with the information.

information was conveyed to them

More formal and emphasizes the act of conveying information.

FAQs

How can I use "they were informed" in a sentence?

Use "they were informed" to indicate that a group of people received specific information. For example, "They were informed of the meeting's postponement".

What can I say instead of "they were informed"?

You can use alternatives like "they were notified", "they were told", or "they were advised" depending on the context.

Is "they were informed" formal or informal?

"They were informed" is generally considered neutral to formal in tone and can be used in various contexts, from news reports to academic papers.

What is the difference between "they were informed" and "they learned"?

"They were informed" implies a direct act of providing information, while "they learned" suggests gaining knowledge, which may not necessarily involve a direct informant.