we were alerted that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were alerted that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when informing someone that a notification or warning has been received regarding a specific matter. Example: "We were alerted that there would be a severe weather warning in our area, so we took precautions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Shortly after launch we were alerted that there was an open Api.

TechCrunch

"We were alerted that a debit card registered to one of our customer's accounts was in fact his mother's at the end of December," the firm said.

BBC

We were alerted that white supremacist Chris Cantwell was on OkCupid.

Huffington Post

Note, that after the first article on PSSCAN was published in 2005, we were alerted that the original acronym 'PSCAN' was already copyrighted.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

We are alerted that a child is involved.

The New York Times

We've been alerted that is still happening, with about 170 emails coming up when we searched (last time around it was less than 80).

TechCrunch

We were alerted at 6 20 A.M. that he'd been surrounded.

The New Yorker

Dear Spotify user, Last week we were alerted to a group that managed to compromise our protocols.

TechCrunch

A Welsh Water spokesperson said: "We were alerted this afternoon that a third party had caused damage to our water main on the Ely Bridge development site.

BBC

"We were alerted by Apple that inappropriate content was made available to our users and both apps were taken off the App Store.

TechCrunch

As reported in the media, on 11 February 2014 we were alerted to 16 fake submissions that were published in conference proceedings in Springer publications, mostly in computer sciences and engineering.

Springer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were alerted that" to indicate the receipt of a notification, warning, or important piece of information, often suggesting a need for action or awareness. This phrase is particularly effective when emphasizing the source or the timing of the alert.

Common error

Avoid using "we were alerted that" in highly informal contexts. While generally acceptable, consider more casual alternatives like "we heard that" or "we found out that" for personal or conversational settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were alerted that" functions as a passive construction used to introduce information received, typically indicating a notification or warning. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is acceptable in written English and signals that someone or some entity has brought something to the attention of the speaker or writer.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were alerted that" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate the receipt of a notification or warning. According to Ludwig AI, it's a usable phrase in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, this phrase carries a neutral register, suitable for professional communication. When writing, consider using alternatives like "we were informed that" for similar meanings. Be mindful of the slightly formal tone and choose more casual options if needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we received a notification that

Replaces "alerted" with "received a notification", emphasizing the act of receiving information.

we were informed that

Substitutes "alerted" with "informed", focusing on the act of being told something.

we were notified that

Uses "notified" instead of "alerted", providing a slightly more formal tone.

it was brought to our attention that

Emphasizes the process of something being noticed and communicated to the group.

we were advised that

Indicates that the information was received as advice or guidance.

we were warned that

Specifically indicates that the information received was a warning.

we learned that

Replaces the passive voice with an active voice, focusing on the act of learning.

we discovered that

Highlights the act of uncovering information, suggesting a more active finding process.

we found out that

Replaces the passive construction with a more direct, active phrasing.

a message reached us stating that

Emphasizes the arrival of a message containing the information.

FAQs

What's a good substitute for "we were alerted that"?

Alternatives include "we were informed that", "we received a notification that", or "it was brought to our attention that", depending on the specific context.

Is "we were alerted that" formal or informal?

The phrase "we were alerted that" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's suitable for professional communication, news reports, and academic writing, but might sound slightly stilted in very casual conversation.

How can I use "we were alerted that" in a sentence?

Example: "We were alerted that the system would undergo maintenance, so we planned accordingly." It indicates receipt of important information prompting a response.

Is it correct to say "we were alert that" instead of "we were alerted that"?

No, "we were alert that" is grammatically incorrect. "Alert" functions as an adjective, meaning watchful or vigilant. The correct phrasing to indicate notification is "we were alerted that", where "alerted" is a verb in the passive voice.