to be told

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be told" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is being said or revealed to someone else, such as in the following example: I was relieved to be told that my surgery had been successful.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I had to be told.

The New Yorker

To be told we are the problem.

The New York Times

Lizzie, his wife, had to be told.

The New Yorker

The Robbins story remains to be told.

The New Yorker

It all needs to be told".

The New York Times

Its incredible story needs to be told".

The New York Times

I just want to be told.

The New Yorker

Others have to be told to.

The Economist

That story needs to be told.

The New York Times

Investors have not waited to be told.

The Economist

They deserve to be told and celebrated.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to be told" when you want to emphasize that someone is the recipient of information, rather than the active seeker or discoverer of it.

Common error

Avoid using "to be told" when the context requires an active voice construction. For example, instead of "The story needs to be told by someone," consider "Someone needs to tell the story."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be told" functions as a passive infinitive, indicating that the subject is the recipient of an action (being told). It often appears after verbs expressing emotion or expectation, as shown in Ludwig's examples like, "I was relieved to be told that my surgery had been successful."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be told" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express the passive reception of information. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase emphasizes the subject's role as the recipient, rather than the initiator, of the information. While alternatives like "to be informed" or "to receive information" exist, "to be told" specifically highlights the act of being the recipient in a narrative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be informed

Emphasizes the state of knowing something.

to be advised

Focuses on receiving counsel or a recommendation.

to be notified

Highlights the act of formally or officially conveying information.

to be apprised of

Indicates being formally informed about something specific.

to receive information

Focuses on the act of getting data rather than a narrative.

to learn of

Suggests a discovery or gaining knowledge about something.

to hear about

Implies receiving news or information, often casually.

to be instructed

Emphasizes the action of being given directions or orders.

to be schooled

To be educated or trained about something.

to get word

To get a message or a report about a particular event or situation.

FAQs

What does "to be told" mean?

The phrase "to be told" means to receive information or instructions from someone else. It emphasizes the passive reception of knowledge or direction.

How can I use "to be told" in a sentence?

You can use "to be told" to indicate that someone is receiving information. For example, "I was happy "to be told" that I passed the exam".

What are some alternatives to "to be told"?

Alternatives include "to be informed", "to be notified", or "to receive information". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "to be told"?

The phrase "to be told" is inherently passive. Using the active voice would involve rephrasing the sentence entirely. For example, instead of "I was to be told the news", you might say "Someone was supposed to tell me the news".