we were informed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were informed by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone gave you information. For example: "We were informed by our supervisor that we must complete the assignment by tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Yet we were informed by the commissioner that it had been.

The Guardian - Opinion

To our surprise, we were informed by her friends that she had to undergo emergency surgery.

The New York Times

Jamaa was also killed, we were informed, by a booby-trap, and blown up by a suicide bomber.

Independent

"We were informed by the government that there is no role for Huawei in Australia's NBN," said Jeremy Mitchell, a Huawei spokesman in Australia.

The Guardian - Business

But over the weekend, we were informed by Jade's people that her condition had deteriorated rapidly and her outlook was very bleak.

The Guardian

"We halted the attack when we were informed by Russia that it was possible that we were striking Syrian regime military personnel and vehicles".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

EBay said it would pass information from the Guardian's investigation to HMRC: "If we are informed by HMRC that a seller is not complying with requirements then we will take appropriate action".

The Guardian - Business

Other transactions were implemented -- improperly, we are informed by our accounting advisers -- to offset losses.

The New York Times

The nightclub, by the way, is called Frenesi, the frenzy of the title, which also, we're informed by a pop song on the soundtrack, refers to sex.

The New York Times

At the local school, most pupils wear Mary Janes, but Wadjda (Waad Mohammed), as we are informed by a few efficient closeups, prefers high-top sneakers, with stars on them.

The New Yorker

We are informed by Thomas Cook & Son that the French railways have installed hammocks for the benefit of third class passengers who can't afford Wagons-Lits prices.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were informed by", ensure the source is credible to enhance the reliability of your statement. State the source clearly to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions like "we were informed by" in close succession. Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement and clarity. Consider active voice alternatives when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were informed by" functions as a passive construction used to attribute information to a specific source. It indicates that the subject (we) received information, and emphasizes the source of that information. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and widespread usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were informed by" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that serves to attribute information to a source. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability across diverse contexts, especially in news, scientific, and formal business communication. While its formality level is generally neutral, alternatives like "we were told by" or "we learned from" might be more appropriate depending on the situation. When using the phrase, ensure the source's credibility and consider varying sentence structure to avoid over-reliance on passive voice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were told by

A direct and simple way to indicate that someone provided information.

we were notified by

Highlights the act of being officially told about something, often with a sense of urgency or importance.

we received notification from

Focuses on the act of receiving a formal notice rather than a general piece of information.

we were advised by

Suggests guidance or recommendation, implying a level of expertise from the source.

it was reported to us by

Formal and emphasizes the reporting aspect of the information transfer.

we learned from

Emphasizes the acquisition of knowledge, implying a process of learning.

information reached us via

Focuses on the channel through which the information was conveyed.

we heard from

A more general and informal way of saying that we received information.

our sources indicated that

Highlights the presence of multiple or unnamed sources providing information.

the word came to us from

A more figurative and less direct way of saying that information was received.

FAQs

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

Use "we were informed by" to indicate that you received information from a specific source. For example: "We were informed by the manager that the project deadline has been extended."

What can I say instead of "we were informed by"?

You can use alternatives like "we were notified by", "we were told by", or "we learned from" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when reporting information?

While "we were informed by" (passive voice) is grammatically correct, using active voice (e.g., "the manager informed us") can often make your writing more direct and concise.

Which is more formal, "we were informed by" or "we heard from"?

"We were informed by" is generally more formal than "we heard from". Use "we were informed by" in professional or academic contexts where precision and formality are important.