we were informed

USAGE SUMMARY

"we were informed" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to receiving information from a reliable source. For example: "We were informed that the meeting had been cancelled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were informed that some personal information was available in the raw data so we removed these files.

BBC

Cow pie, we were informed.

The New York Times - Travel

He is the new-style Hollywood celebrity," we were informed.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We were informed that he would be presented at 1pm in the Santiago Bernabéu.

The Guardian - Sport

The trails, we were informed, are washed every night to trap skin flakes bearing alien bacteria.

The New York Times - Travel

Also, we were informed that possibly two other aircraft had been hijacked and were unaccounted for.

The New York Times

We were informed of the American plan through the newspapers and wires.

The New York Times

"We were informed that people from the 'unit' would meet the flights," he said.

The Guardian

How, hours later, we were informed that he would most likely live without brain function.

The New York Times

"On our arrival to South Africa on Monday we were informed on this," Hansen said.

The Guardian - Sport

Russia's Sergey, we were informed, has spoken out against the homophobic laws, even mentioned Ukraine.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If the source is ambiguous, consider rephrasing to "it was reported" to maintain a degree of formality without specifying the informant

Common error

Avoid using "we were informed" repeatedly without ever specifying the source. Lack of source attribution can weaken the credibility of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were informed" functions as a passive construction used to report information received. It places emphasis on the reception of the information rather than the source. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various reporting contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were informed" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to convey that information has been received. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used across various domains, especially in News & Media and Academia. While it's a versatile phrase, remember to attribute the source when possible to enhance credibility. For alternatives, consider options like "we learned" or "it was reported to us" depending on the desired level of formality and specificity. This phrase serves as a neutral way to relay information, making it suitable for professional and academic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were told

A direct synonym, emphasizing the act of being told something.

we learned

Similar in meaning, but slightly less formal and doesn't necessarily imply a direct source.

we were notified

Indicates an official or formal announcement was received.

it was reported to us

More formal and suggests the information came through an official channel.

we were advised

Suggests receiving guidance or recommendations.

we received information

A more neutral and general way of stating that information was received.

we understood

Implies comprehension of the information, not just reception.

we gathered

Suggests piecing together information from multiple sources.

we ascertained

More formal, implying a careful and deliberate effort to find out information.

we discovered

Suggests finding out something that was previously unknown or hidden.

FAQs

How can I use "we were informed" in a sentence?

Use "we were informed" to indicate that you or your group received information, such as, "We were informed that the meeting was postponed."

What's a more formal alternative to "we were informed"?

For a more formal tone, consider "it was reported to us" or "we were notified", depending on the context.

Is it necessary to specify the source when using "we were informed"?

While not always required, specifying the source after "we were informed" enhances credibility. For instance, "We were informed by the manager..."

What is the difference between "we were informed" and "we learned"?

"We were informed" suggests a direct conveyance of information, while "we learned" implies gaining knowledge through various means, not necessarily directly from a source.