we've been told

USAGE SUMMARY

"We've been told" is grammatically correct and usable written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something has been communicated to you. For example: We've been told that the event has been cancelled due to the weather.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We've been told not to talk".

The Guardian - Business

We've been told to stop picking.

The Guardian - Tech

That's what we've been told, protect yourself.

The New York Times - Sports

"We've been told to wait every year and nothing changes".

The New York Times

For decades, we've been told how to handle chicken.

The New York Times

We've been told lots of different stories," Ms Mahmood said.

Independent

"We have done everything we've been told to do".

The New York Times

But then we've been told a lot of things.

The New Yorker

We've been told there'll be a lot of migrants there.

The Guardian

We've been told not to play with serious things".

The New York Times - Arts

We've been told we'll be here a month.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we've been told", consider if it's necessary to provide more specific details about who provided the information or the context in which it was shared for enhanced credibility.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on phrases like "we've been told" without providing supporting evidence or context. Overuse can make your writing seem vague and lacking in authority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we've been told" functions as an introductory phrase to relay information received from an unspecified or general source. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. It sets the stage for the information that follows, often without attribution.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we've been told" is a grammatically correct and very common way to introduce information received from an unspecified source. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used and understood. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to convey information without direct attribution. For more formal situations, alternatives like "it has been reported to us" may be more appropriate. Use "we've been told" to share information efficiently, but be mindful of providing context or attribution where possible to enhance credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were informed

A passive voice construction focusing on the reception of information.

it was communicated to us that

A very formal and direct way of stating the information was passed on.

sources have informed us

Indicates confidential or official sources.

it has been reported to us

Uses a more formal tone and emphasizes the act of reporting.

we understand that

Indicates a general understanding based on communicated information.

according to reports

Suggests information is based on documented accounts.

we've learned

Highlights the acquisition of knowledge, implying a learning process.

i was given to understand

Emphasizes personal interpretation and understanding of the information received.

we've heard it said

Implies the information is circulating widely, potentially as hearsay.

the word is

An informal and indirect way of sharing commonly heard information.

FAQs

How can I use "we've been told" in a sentence?

"We've been told" is typically used to introduce information received from an unspecified source. For example: "We've been told that the meeting is postponed." It's useful when you want to convey information without directly attributing it.

What are some alternatives to "we've been told"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "we understand that", "it was communicated to us that", or "sources have informed us". These options offer varying degrees of formality and specificity.

Is it better to use "we've been told" or a more specific attribution?

Using "we've been told" is suitable when the source is unknown or confidential. However, when possible, providing a specific attribution (e.g., "according to the BBC") enhances the credibility of the information.

Can "we've been told" be used in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "we've been told" might be considered less formal. In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "it has been reported to us" or "we were informed" to maintain a more professional tone.