they were notified

USAGE SUMMARY

'they were notified' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that people were informed of something. For example, "The police notified the neighbors that there had been a break-in on the block".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, when partners were notifiable it was likely that they were notified (87%).

BMC Infectious Diseases

They were notified in advance, but there was still damage -- broken windows, broken dishes".

The New York Times - Arts

They were notified that two potential buyers were interested in seeing their apartment.

The New York Times

Two relatives told Reuters they were notified by the head of the Jordanian air force of his capture.

Independent

They were notified of targets only when they were en route, choices developed from intelligence fresh from the battlefield.

The New York Times

An e-mail sent by the company, 38 Studios, to workers says they were notified of the "nonvoluntary and nondisciplinary" layoffs on Thursday.

The New York Times

This morning, they were notified that Mrs. Hutton's body had been recovered, and the Cashes rushed to the funeral home to confirm her identity.

The New York Times

They were notified that the tree was selected a few weeks ago, but were not allowed to say anything until the official announcement was made Tuesday.

The New York Times

But the foreigners boycotted the show, contending that they were notified of the schedule and terms so late that they could not take part.

The New York Times

Both men were 53 and were employees in Pratt's finance department when they were notified that they were being laid off.

The New York Times

But the Celtics said yesterday that they were notified of Baker's noncompliance by a doctor chosen by Baker and the Celtics to oversee the program.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were notified" when you want to emphasize the act of formally informing someone about something, especially when there's a specific procedure or protocol involved.

Common error

While "they were notified" is grammatically sound, overuse of the passive voice can make your writing sound weak or unclear. Consider using the active voice instead (e.g., "The company notified them") for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were notified" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a group of people received information. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

42%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were notified" is a grammatically correct and very common passive voice construction used to indicate that people have received official information. Ludwig AI confirms the usability of this phrase. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, the phrase carries a neutral register and emphasizes the formal act of informing someone. While correct, it's useful to be aware of potential overuse of the passive voice and consider active voice alternatives where appropriate. Remember to use "they were notified" when you wish to highlight the fact of notification and maintain a formal tone. Consider using other phrases like "they were informed" or "they received notification" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they received notification

Focuses on the act of receiving rather than the act of informing.

they were informed

A more general term for conveying information, less formal than "notified".

they were alerted

Implies a sense of urgency or potential danger.

they were advised

Suggests guidance or a recommended course of action.

they were apprised of

A more formal way of saying they were informed.

notification was sent to them

Shifts the focus to the sending of the notification.

they were told

A simpler and more direct way of saying they received information.

they were given notice

Implies a formal warning or announcement.

they learned

Focuses on the acquisition of knowledge, rather than the act of being informed.

they had been warned

Suggests a prior warning about something negative.

FAQs

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

You can use "they were notified" to indicate that a group of people received official information about something. For example, "They were notified of the meeting cancellation via email".

What is a more formal alternative to "they were notified"?

A more formal alternative is "they were apprised of", which suggests that they received detailed and important information.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when using "they were notified"?

While "they were notified" is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g. "The authorities notified them") can make your writing more direct and clear. However, the passive voice is appropriate when you want to emphasize the recipients of the notification or when the actor is unknown or unimportant.

What's the difference between "they were notified" and "they were informed"?

While both phrases indicate that information was conveyed, "they were notified" often implies a formal or official communication, whereas "they were informed" is a more general term for receiving information.