was first informed about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was first informed about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the initial notification or communication regarding a specific topic or event. Example: "She was first informed about the changes in policy during the staff meeting last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

When I was first informed about personalisation I was told that the accounting process was necessary but there were agencies willing and able to help me sort out the paperwork.

The Guardian

On Tuesday Foreign Secretary Mr Hague released a written statement outlining the UK's response to the case, prompted by questions by Conservative MP Mark Pritchard, including a request to know when the UK embassy was first informed about the death.

BBC

As I reveal in my forthcoming book Losing an Enemy ― Obama, Iran and the Triumph of Diplomacy, Zarif was first informed about the 10 American sailors as he was leaving a theater in Tehran.

Huffington Post

Index date 2: Time the case was first informed about incipient renal failure from the treating physician; the index date for the control is the index date of the respective case.

BMC Nephrology

The child's guardian was first informed about the research and asked to participate by filling out a consent form and a case report form (Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Amazonas 266/206).

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

French, German and British officials were first informed about the proposed merger and changes to the ownership structure by top EADS executives in July, said a person who was briefed about the meetings, but who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The New York Times

In each trial participants were first informed about the condition in which they were going to play, which could be one or two players.

Plosone

The patients were first informed about the implant type postoperatively.

Acta Orthopaedica

In the interviews, respondents were first informed about the aim and method of the study.

Human Resources for Health

(4,7) GPs were first informed about the program via their local quality peer review groups (QPRGs).

BMC Family Practice

Initiates were first informed about the study when undergoing medical examination for circumcision.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure that it's followed by a clear and concise statement of what the subject was informed about. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the topic or event immediately after the phrase.

Common error

A common mistake is using "was first informed about" without a clear subject. Ensure the sentence clearly indicates who received the information to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was first informed about" functions as a passive construction, indicating the point at which a subject received initial notification or knowledge regarding a specific matter. As per Ludwig's analysis, this construction is generally correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was first informed about" is a grammatically sound phrase used to highlight the initial moment of receiving information. Ludwig's analysis indicates its correctness and usability across various contexts. While not overly common, it's valuable for emphasizing the timing and sequence of events. It frequently appears in scientific and news-related content, maintaining a neutral register suitable for both formal and general communication. Remember to ensure clarity by specifying the subject and the information received immediately after the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initially notified of

Focuses on the act of notification rather than the broader concept of being informed.

initially advised about

Emphasizes the element of counsel or guidance received at the beginning.

first learned of

Highlights the acquisition of knowledge at the initial point.

became aware of initially

Stresses the gradual process of becoming conscious or knowledgeable.

was originally told about

Focuses on the telling aspect and the original source of the information.

was briefed about initially

Implies a formal communication, often used in professional contexts.

was acquainted with first

Highlights the introduction to the knowledge or subject.

was made aware of at the outset

Emphasizes the timing of the awareness at the beginning.

received initial notification of

Formal expression indicating the act of being officially informed.

knew about for the first time

Highlights the experience of knowing something new from the start.

FAQs

How can I use "was first informed about" in a sentence?

You can use "was first informed about" to indicate when someone initially received information. For example, "The manager "was first informed about" the budget cuts during the meeting."

What are some alternatives to "was first informed about"?

Alternatives include "initially notified of", "first learned of", or "became aware of initially", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "was first informed about" or "learned about"?

"Was first informed about" often sounds more formal than "learned about", as it implies an official or structured communication of information. "Learned about" is more general and can refer to any means of acquiring knowledge.

Which is correct: "was first informed about the issue" or "was informed first about the issue"?

"Was first informed about the issue" is generally preferred. "Was informed first about the issue" is grammatically correct but less idiomatic. The former emphasizes the timing of the initial notification.