was briefed about

USAGE SUMMARY

'was briefed about' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when someone has been told information or given instruction on a particular subject. Example sentence: The team was briefed about the upcoming merger before the meeting.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Yates was briefed about the session the next day.

The New Yorker

The White House was briefed about the incident on Tuesday morning.

The New York Times

From the first time Feinstein was briefed about the program, she opposed it.

The New Yorker

The Clinton spokesman wouldn't comment on whether Clinton was briefed about the matter.

The New Yorker

Gordon D. Johndroe, the National Security Council spokesman, said President Bush was briefed about the new N.I.E. on Monday morning.

The New York Times

Scott M. Stringer, the Manhattan borough president and a former Democratic assemblyman, summoned memories of the 1970s fiscal crisis after he was briefed about the budget.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

President Obama, they said, has been briefed about the crisis.

The New York Times

They said the House and Senate Intelligence Committees had been briefed about it.

The New York Times

Indeed, rights activists who have been briefed about the case are already expressing skepticism.

The New York Times

Cameron will have been briefed about the current security situation in Helmand, which is confused.

The Guardian

"We were briefed about a possible terror threat against a relief organisation in Sumatra," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was briefed about", ensure the context clearly indicates who provided the briefing and what the subject matter was. This adds clarity and authority to the sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "was briefed about" without specifying the topic. Saying "he was briefed" is less effective than saying "he was briefed about the new marketing strategy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was briefed about" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject received information or instruction. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this structure is grammatically correct and widely used. For example, "President Trump "was briefed about" the shooting" exemplifies its function.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was briefed about" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that effectively conveys the receipt of information or instructions. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is acceptable in written English and finds its primary use in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. While alternatives like "was informed of" or "was apprised of" exist, "was briefed about" remains a clear and concise choice for indicating that someone has been given specific details on a subject. Ensure clarity by specifying the topic of the briefing to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was informed of

Emphasizes the act of receiving information, similar to "was briefed about" but potentially less detailed.

was apprised of

A more formal alternative, suggesting that someone was officially or thoroughly informed.

was updated on

Implies a regular or periodic provision of new information about a subject.

received information regarding

A more verbose alternative emphasizing the receipt of information.

was given details on

Focuses on the provision of specific details, suggesting a comprehensive briefing.

was made aware of

Highlights the fact that someone gained knowledge about a situation or topic.

was enlightened about

Suggests a deeper understanding was gained; more insightful than a simple briefing.

was coached on

Implies preparation or instruction, often in anticipation of a specific event or task.

was filled in on

An informal alternative meaning to provide someone with all the necessary details.

was schooled on

Suggests an educational aspect, implying the person learned new information thoroughly.

FAQs

How can I use "was briefed about" in a sentence?

Use "was briefed about" to indicate that someone received specific information or instructions on a particular topic. For example, "The president "was briefed about" the latest developments in the trade negotiations".

What's a more formal alternative to "was briefed about"?

A more formal alternative is "was apprised of", which suggests a more official or thorough informing. For example, "The committee was apprised of the financial irregularities".

What is the difference between "was informed of" and "was briefed about"?

"Was informed of" generally means receiving information, while "was briefed about" implies receiving detailed information or instructions, often in preparation for something. A subtle difference, but the level of detail is key.

Can I use "was briefed about" in professional writing?

Yes, "was briefed about" is suitable for professional writing, especially when you need to convey that someone received specific and prepared information. It's commonly used in reports, memos, and news articles.