told about it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "told about it" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone being informed or made aware of a particular subject or event. Example: "She was told about it during the meeting last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

All the writers were told about it.

The New York Times

People need to be told about it.

Independent

"Or to be told about it".

The Guardian - Sport

We hadn't been told about it.

The Guardian

"And we weren't told about it.

The Guardian

His book "The Maine Woods" told about it.

The New Yorker

But I don't dig being told about it".

The New York Times - Magazine

Up there, I didn't dig being told about it either.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We haven't been told about it," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

"I don't think I need to be told about it.

The Guardian - Sport

We were not told about it ahead of time.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "told about it", ensure the context clearly indicates who did the telling and who received the information for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "told about it" when active voice would be clearer and more direct. For instance, instead of "He was told about it by her", try "She told him about it."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "told about it" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject received information. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It emphasizes the recipient of the information rather than the giver.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "told about it" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that someone has been informed of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly news and media. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who did the telling and who was informed. While generally neutral, consider more formal alternatives like "informed of it" in professional settings. Remember to avoid using passive voice when active voice would result in clearer communication. Ludwig's examples show that the phrase is widely used and understood, making it a reliable choice for conveying information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Made aware of it

Focuses on the resulting state of awareness.

Informed of it

Formal alternative emphasizing official communication.

Apprised of it

A more formal synonym for informed.

Briefed on it

Suggests a concise summary of information was provided.

Notified about it

Similar to informed, but often implies a more specific or urgent communication.

Alerted to it

Suggests a warning or heads-up was provided.

Advised regarding it

Implies guidance or counsel was given alongside the information.

Given notice of it

Implies a formal announcement or warning.

Filled in about it

Informal phrase suggesting comprehensive information was provided.

Clued in on it

Informal phrase meaning to give someone secret or important information

FAQs

How to use "told about it" in a sentence?

Use "told about it" to indicate that someone received information about a specific topic. For example, "She was "told about it" during the meeting".

What can I say instead of "told about it"?

You can use alternatives like "informed of it", "notified about it", or "made aware of it" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "told about it" or "told of it"?

"Told about it" is generally preferred when referring to a specific topic or event. "Told of it" is less common but can be used in some contexts. The difference is subtle and depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "told about it" and "informed about it"?

"Informed about it" is a more formal alternative to ""told about it"". Both phrases mean that someone received information, but "informed" suggests a more official or deliberate communication.