we were informed of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were informed of" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to explain that someone communicated facts or information to you. For example, "We were informed of the company's new policy at the staff meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

"When we were informed of an alleged incident we immediately cut all ties to the company".

The Guardian

"On 7 October we were informed of the CPS decision to prosecute and are fully supportive of their decision.

The Guardian

After a half-hour, we were informed of a "small technical problem" and returned to the terminal.

The New York Times

We were informed of the strict camp policy – no weapons, drugs, or alcohol – and had to submit our trailer to a search.

The Guardian

A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London, said: "We were informed of the death of a British national in Thailand on October 23.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

We are informed of it well before that baby is even a cluster of dividing cells in our uterus.

Independent

Wednesday, January 28th Another snag in our quest for housing occurs today when we are informed of the need to hunt down some local character called The Guarantor.

The New Yorker

"We have seen nothing from what we have been promised in this issue," he said, "nor have we been informed of what they have done, despite their promise to cooperate with us".

The New York Times

We learn about the panic she felt after her first Botox injections and the withdrawal symptoms she experienced after switching antidepressants; we are informed of how she feels about her neck and her inner labia.

The New Yorker

"We were informed last night of the decision reached by the team and Mr. Tressel.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer "we were informed of" in professional contexts when you want to suggest a formal notification or communication. For informal context, consider alternatives like "we learned about".

Common error

Avoid omitting the source of information when using "we were informed of". Without specifying the source, the statement can lack credibility and leave the audience questioning the validity of the information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were informed of" functions as a reporting verb construction, indicating the reception of information. As Ludwig AI explains, it communicates that facts or information have been relayed to the subject, typically in a formal or official manner.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were informed of" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the reception of information. According to Ludwig AI, it indicates that someone has communicated facts or information to you. It's versatile, appearing in news, scientific, and formal contexts, although more frequently in news related content. When writing, specifying the source of the information can increase credibility. For more formal situations, consider alternatives like "we were notified of", while "we learned about" can suit informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we received notification about

Emphasizes the reception of formal communication or official notice.

we were notified about

Slightly more formal and direct than the original phrase.

we learned about

Implies gaining knowledge of something, potentially through less formal channels.

we were advised of

Suggests receiving counsel or guidance regarding a particular matter.

we were told about

A more informal way of saying we received information.

we were made aware of

Highlights the act of being brought into knowledge or consciousness of something.

information was provided to us regarding

A more passive and formal way to express the reception of information.

it was brought to our attention that

Emphasizes that something was pointed out or highlighted to us.

we ascertained

Focuses on the process of finding something out for certain.

we gathered

Indicates that we collected or inferred information.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we were informed of" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "we were notified of", "we were apprised of", or "official notification was received regarding".

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

Less formal options include phrases like "we heard about", "we learned of", or "we were told about".

Is it always necessary to specify who informed us when using "we were informed of"?

While not always mandatory, specifying the source enhances credibility and provides context. Without it, the statement may seem vague. When possible, clarify the origin of the information.

What is the difference between "we were informed of" and "we were advised of"?

"We were informed of" generally means we received factual information. "We were "we were advised of"" suggests receiving counsel or a recommendation regarding a specific matter.