was given the impression

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was given the impression" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation in which someone was given a particular opinion or feeling. For example, "She was given the impression that the project would be easy, but it turned out to be much more difficult than expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Richter said he was given the impression by gallery owners that he was inclined to undervalue his own work.

The Guardian - Arts

Mr. Seagroves said that when his company approached Scholastic, the American publisher of the Harry Potter books, about an e-book version for the fourth book, it was given the impression that Ms. Rowling wanted a $1 million advance.

The New York Times

It was decided that CIA doctors would not provide hands-on medical care so that the detainee was "given the impression that he could not escape into an alleged need for medical care".

The Guardian

The assistant replied: "UK plc can afford more than 20 quid". She was given the impression that, if she agreed, she would become one of "thousands" of paid informants who work with the police, secretly relaying information about protest groups.

The Guardian

The legislation was titled "The Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act," and Bishop Paprocki said he was given the impression that it would not affect state contracts for Catholic Charities and other religious social services.

The New York Times

Before the Iraq war was launched in March 2003 the world was given the impression by the US and Britain that the goal was to eradicate weapons of mass destruction.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

He added that Mr. Newsom was "giving the impression that mayors are above the law".

The New York Times

Second, we stopped allowing guests to attend our events for free, as that was giving the impression there wasn't a benefit to becoming a member and paying the annual membership fee.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I pictured him younger, as he was giving the impression of youthful vigor.

Forbes

He warned that strident Euroscepticism was giving the impression of a Britain "snarling like a pitbull across the Channel".

BBC

"We were given the impression it was coming from one ISP in Guangdong," said a delegate.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was given the impression" when you want to convey that someone formed an opinion or belief based on indirect cues or suggestions, rather than explicit statements. Be mindful of the source and reliability of these cues.

Common error

Avoid using "was given the impression" when the information was directly stated. Use phrases like "was told" or "was informed" instead. Don't use "was given the impression" as an umbrella term for all instances of information transfer.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was given the impression" functions as a passive construction indicating that someone received a particular feeling or idea, often without explicit communication. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and conveys indirect knowledge or understanding.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was given the impression" is a grammatically correct and common way to express that someone formed an opinion or belief based on indirect cues or suggestions. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage in English writing. It is frequently found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral to professional register. Remember to use it when you want to convey indirect knowledge, and avoid using it when referring to direct statements, as that would be misattributing the source of the impression. Alternatives like "was led to believe" and "got the sense" offer subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was led to believe

Emphasizes the act of being guided towards a belief.

was under the assumption

Highlights the existence of a pre-existing assumption.

was made to understand

Focuses on the process of comprehension being facilitated.

was led to conclude

Highlights that a conclusion was reached based on available information.

received the idea

Focuses on the reception of an idea.

got the sense

Indicates a feeling or intuition about something.

gathered

Implies collecting information to form an understanding.

inferred

Suggests drawing a conclusion based on evidence.

perceived

Emphasizes a subjective interpretation of a situation.

understood

Focuses on a clear and direct comprehension.

FAQs

How can I use "was given the impression" in a sentence?

Use "was given the impression" to indicate that someone formed an opinion or belief based on indirect cues or suggestions. For example: "She "was given the impression" that the job was hers, even though she hadn't received a formal offer."

What can I say instead of "was given the impression"?

Alternatives include "was led to believe", "was under the assumption", or "got the sense", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "was given the impression"?

Yes, "was given the impression" is grammatically correct. It uses the passive voice to describe how someone received a particular idea or feeling.

What's the difference between "was given the impression" and "was told"?

"Was given the impression" suggests indirect communication or inference, while "was told" implies a direct statement. If someone "was told" something, they received explicit information. If someone "was given the impression", they formed a belief based on hints or suggestions.