they were told

USAGE SUMMARY

'they were told' is a grammatically correct and usable sentence in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that someone has afforded another person with information or given them an instruction. For example, "The team was told that they would need to work late that night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

$250 they were told.

The New Yorker

Of course they were told.

Independent

The place was closed, they were told.

The New York Times - Food

They were told it was art.

The New Yorker

Up to your chest, they were told.

The New Yorker

They were told not to worry.

The New York Times

Their time would come, they were told.

The New York Times

"You're lying second," they were told.

The New York Times

"They were told to kneel down.

Independent

Dr. Sukumar Mukherjee, they were told.

The New York Times

And they were told not to witness.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary sentence structure by occasionally using active voice alternatives to avoid monotony.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on passive constructions like "they were told", as excessive use can make your writing sound weak or indirect. Opt for active voice where appropriate to enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "they were told" is to act as a passive voice construction, indicating that a group received information. Ludwig shows examples of its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were told" is a common and grammatically correct passive voice construction used to indicate the reception of information or instructions by a group. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific domains. While versatile, it's crucial to balance its usage with active voice alternatives for stylistic variation. Remember to avoid common errors such as overuse of the passive voice to maintain clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were informed

A more formal way of saying they received information.

they were advised

Implies a recommendation or guidance was provided.

they were apprised

A more formal synonym for informing someone.

they received instructions

Emphasizes the act of receiving directions or commands.

instructions were issued to them

Emphasizes the official or authoritative nature of the directions.

it was communicated to them

Highlights the process of communication.

information was given to them

Focuses on the act of providing information rather than the reception.

they learned

Focuses on the acquisition of knowledge.

they heard

A more general term for receiving information aurally.

they understood

Focuses on comprehension after the information has been provided.

FAQs

How to use "they were told" in a sentence?

"They were told" is used to indicate that a group of people received information or instructions. For example, "They were told to wait" or "they were told it was art".

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

You can use alternatives like "they were informed", "they received instructions", or "it was communicated to them" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "they were told" or "they was told"?

"They were told" is correct because "they" is plural and requires the plural form of the verb "to be", which is "were". "They was told" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "they were told" and "they were asked"?

"They were told" indicates that information or instructions were given to them, while "they were asked" indicates that a question or request was directed to them. The former implies conveyance of information, the latter, a solicitation.