told otherwise

USAGE SUMMARY

"told otherwise" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is generally used to indicate that there may be different information or opinions about something. For example: "I was told the party was cancelled, but it was told otherwise by another source."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Unless told otherwise".

The Guardian - Sport

I was never told otherwise," Donaldson said.

The Guardian

"I have not been told otherwise".

The Guardian - Sport

"Until I'm told otherwise, yeah, I do," Curry said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Exercise planning will continue until we are told otherwise".

The Guardian

You are to do all assignments yourself, unless explicitly told otherwise.

Princeton University

The university later said it had been told otherwise by Dr. Hawking's office.

The New York Times

I assumed these begonias were made of white gold, until told otherwise.

The New York Times

Nudity was not a big deal among teenagers who had never been told otherwise.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Unless it was told otherwise, AT&T was sending out the detailed bills.

The New York Times

He presumed himself the starter until told otherwise by Coach Mike McCarthy.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "told otherwise" to clearly indicate a change in instructions, plans, or understanding, ensuring that the context makes it clear who is providing the alternative information.

Common error

Avoid assuming that silence or lack of explicit denial equates to being "told otherwise". Ensure there's active communication of changed instructions or differing information to justify its use.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "told otherwise" is to act as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates a condition or exception to a statement, implying that the original statement holds true unless or until different information is received. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "told otherwise" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that a situation or instruction remains valid until contradictory information is provided. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across various contexts, including news, academia, and general communication. It is important to use it when there is a clear understanding of who is providing the alternative information to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases such as "instructed differently" or "informed to the contrary" can be used in more formal contexts. As demonstrated by the many Ludwig examples, understanding the nuances of "told otherwise" will greatly improve your written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

informed to the contrary

Indicates being given information that negates or opposes what was previously known.

given a different account

Indicates that a different version of events or a different explanation was provided.

instructed differently

Emphasizes a formal or direct instruction that contradicts a previous one.

apprised of a change

Highlights that someone was formally informed of an alteration or modification.

given alternative directions

Specifically refers to a change in instructions, particularly regarding navigation or procedures.

advised contrarily

Highlights that the advice received was in opposition to a prior understanding.

received conflicting guidance

Highlights the receipt of guidance that is inconsistent with previous instructions.

notified of a different arrangement

Focuses on a change in plans or agreements communicated to someone.

subsequently advised

Emphasizes that the advice was given at a later time, possibly correcting a prior understanding.

had reason to believe differently

Suggests that there was a basis for holding a different belief or expectation.

FAQs

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

You can use "told otherwise" to indicate a change in instructions or information. For example, "I presumed I was still on the project team unless "informed to the contrary"" or "The government has advised people to carry on with their normal shopping habits unless "advised contrarily"".

What does "told otherwise" mean?

"Told otherwise" means having received different or contradictory information that changes a previous understanding or instruction. It implies that an initial expectation or plan has been superseded by new details.

What's a formal alternative to "told otherwise"?

In more formal contexts, you could use phrases like "instructed differently" or "informed to the contrary". These options are suitable for professional or academic settings where precision is important.

Is it correct to say "I haven't been told otherwise"?

Yes, the phrase "I haven't been told otherwise" is grammatically correct and commonly used. It indicates that you are operating under the assumption that the current information or instructions are still valid because you have not received any conflicting information.