told about

USAGE SUMMARY

"told about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing information or news that was previously shared by another person. Example: My colleague told me about an upcoming promotion.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He told about the N.Y.

The New Yorker

Brundage told about the campaign.

The New Yorker

He told about the program.

The New Yorker

He told about the wigs they wear.

The New Yorker

He told about being back in Montevideo.

The New Yorker

M. Achard told about his career.

The New Yorker

Miss Forsyne told about her stage career.

The New Yorker

He told about his teaching at Harvard.

The New Yorker

I was told about the charity.

The New York Times

We were told about this little restaurant.

The New York Times

He told about his work in Lvov.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "told about", ensure the context clearly indicates who provided the information. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "told about" when the information was discovered independently. Instead, use verbs like "learned" or "discovered" to indicate personal finding rather than imparted knowledge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "told about" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence received information. It emphasizes the act of being informed, as highlighted by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

55%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "told about" is a grammatically correct and very common way to express that someone has been informed of something. Ludwig AI confirms this, presenting numerous real-world examples from reputable sources. While versatile, remember to clearly indicate the source of the information when using this phrase. Alternatives like "informed about" or "briefed on" can add nuance. Be sure you're not using "told about" when you mean the opposite, i.e. relating something you have told to another person. It's a reliable and readily understandable phrase for both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Made aware of

Focuses on the recipient's state of understanding after receiving the information.

Updated on

Highlights the provision of the latest information or developments.

Briefed on

Suggests a concise and structured delivery of information, often in a professional setting.

Filled in about

Suggests providing missing or incomplete information.

Informed regarding

Uses a more formal tone and emphasizes the act of providing information.

Advised about

Suggests guidance or recommendations were part of the information shared.

Notified concerning

Implies an official or formal communication about something.

Enlightened on

Focuses on gaining new knowledge or understanding.

Clued in on

Indicates being given secret or insider information.

Schooled about

Implies instruction or education on a topic.

FAQs

How can I use "told about" in a sentence?

You can use "told about" to indicate that someone received information from another person. For example, "She was "told about" the changes in the project by her manager."

What are some alternatives to "told about"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "informed about", "briefed on", or "made aware of". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I was telling about" instead of "I was told about"?

No, "I was telling about" has a different meaning. It means you were the one sharing the information. "I was "told about"" means you were the recipient of the information.

What's the difference between "told about" and "told of"?

"Told about" usually introduces a subject or event. "Told of" often introduces a person or entity, although this usage is becoming less common. For example: I was "told about" the upcoming conference. I was "told of" his kindness.