we were given to understand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were given to understand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to indicate that you received information, either directly or indirectly. For example: We were given to understand that the meeting had been rescheduled for next week.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Nothing, we were given to understand by some speakers, would ever be the same again.

The Guardian - Tech

Now the logic was inverted: supporting the troops, we were given to understand, meant that you had to support the war.

The New York Times

New people, we were given to understand, remained ignorant of our special history, insensible to the hardships endured to make it, blind not only to the dangers the place still presented but to the shared responsibilities its continued habitation demanded.

The New Yorker

According to a spokesman for the airport, the decision to keep passengers on the plane, rather than arrange alternative transport to Heathrow, was Air India's.The BBC has an unofficial account of the incident from the perspective of a worker with Air India:The plane was diverted and we were given to understand that the weather would clear in one and a half hours.

The Economist

"We were given to understand that we had to sort out the matter ourselves," she said.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

We are given to understand that certain ex-CIA types are not happy with developments.

The Guardian - Books

(The self-care part of the scene, we're given to understand from the caption, is the spirallized potato).

The New Yorker

The commemorations of the first world war now under way in the media and museums are, we are given to understand, intended to be inclusive.

The Guardian - Opinion

We are given to understand that Brody was directed to Caracas by Carrie, but I was never clear on whose authority he was made a prisoner there.

The New Yorker

In the war on terror, we are given to understand that it is our patriotic duty to surrender our civil rights.

The New York Times

Early on, we are given to understand that her father was awful, but you don't know how terrible he was until very late.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were given to understand" when you want to convey that information was indirectly communicated or implied, rather than explicitly stated.

Common error

Avoid using "we were given to understand" when directly quoting someone or recounting a direct conversation. Opt for more direct phrasing like "we were told" or "we learned" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were given to understand" functions as a passive construction used to report information received indirectly or implicitly. It indicates that the understanding was not explicitly stated but was conveyed through suggestion or implication, as Ludwig's examples show.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were given to understand" is a passive construction used to indicate that information was received indirectly or implicitly. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and functions to soften the assertion of a fact by attributing the understanding to an external source. While relatively rare in overall usage, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of its nuanced meaning and ensure it aligns with the intended message of indirect communication. Alternatives like "we understood" or "we gathered" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was our understanding

Emphasizes the subjective interpretation of information received.

we understood

Directly states understanding, omitting the passive voice and source implication.

we were led to believe

Indicates a possible intention to mislead, adding a layer of skepticism.

we gathered

Suggests inferring information rather than being explicitly told.

we were told

Focuses on the act of being told information, irrespective of understanding.

we were informed

Directly states receipt of information, removing the nuance of interpretation.

we inferred

Highlights the deduction of information based on available evidence.

we learned

Suggests acquiring knowledge through experience or study.

we had the impression

Conveys a less concrete understanding, based on a feeling or sense.

as far as we could tell

Highlights the limits of understanding based on available information.

FAQs

How can I use "we were given to understand" in a sentence?

You can use "we were given to understand" to indicate that you received information, either directly or indirectly. For example: "We were given to understand that the project deadline had been extended".

What phrases are similar to "we were given to understand"?

Similar phrases include "we understood", "we gathered", or "we were led to believe", each with slight nuances in meaning.

Is it better to use "we were told" instead of "we were given to understand"?

Using "we were told" is more appropriate when the information was directly communicated. "We were given to understand" implies a degree of inference or indirect communication.

What is the nuance between "we were given to understand" and "it was our understanding"?

"We were given to understand" suggests an external source providing the basis for understanding, while "it was our understanding" emphasizes the subjective interpretation of the information.