we were notified

USAGE SUMMARY

"we were notified" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when someone or something has given you information about something. For example, "We were notified that our flight had been canceled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"We were notified by the press.

The Guardian

Once we were notified about it, we responded the same day".

The New York Times

At 6pm the night before we were notified that it was cancelled.

The Guardian - Money

"However, while we were assessing this evidence, we were notified that Silva was planning to move on soon".

The Guardian

"Once we were notified we immediately took action and changed it," said Monica EvanSprintt, a spokeswomanespokeswoman

The New York Times

"We were notified immediately and that sets off, for us, a protocol in which we immediately identify our resources".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

"Had we been notified about the urgency, we would have gladly expedited it".

The New York Times

He will be buried here on Ie Jima unless we are notified otherwise.

The New York Times

"But when we are notified, which might be on Monday, we will appeal it at the supreme court".

The Guardian

When we are notified that OCR engines can read Devanagari, we will reprocess the files for fulltext search functionality.

Cornell University

"Occasionally we are notified when an interstate carrier is put out of service, but to the best of our knowledge we were not notified in this case," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were notified", specify the source of the notification to enhance clarity and credibility. For example, "We were notified by the supplier that the shipment was delayed."

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice construction "we were notified" in contexts where active voice would be more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "We were notified that the project was approved", consider "The board approved the project and notified us."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were notified" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject (we) received information. It is commonly used to report the receipt of news, updates, or announcements. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were notified" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to convey the reception of information, as noted by Ludwig AI. It functions as a passive voice construction with a neutral to professional register, frequently appearing in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While effective, overuse of the passive voice should be avoided in favor of more direct language when appropriate. Consider alternative phrases like "we received notification" or "we were informed" to vary your writing style. Remember to specify the source of notification for enhanced clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we received notification

Replaces the passive voice "were notified" with the active voice "received notification", maintaining a formal tone.

we were informed

Substitutes "notified" with "informed", offering a slightly less formal synonym.

we learned

Uses a more general term, "learned", to indicate the acquisition of information; less formal than "notified".

it was brought to our attention

Emphasizes the act of someone making the information known to the group; more indirect.

we were advised

Implies guidance or a recommendation was also received, not just information.

we heard

A simple and informal way of saying information was received.

notification was sent to us

Rephrases to emphasize the sending of the notification rather than the receiving.

we had been alerted

Indicates a warning or heightened awareness was triggered by the information received.

we were made aware

Focuses on the state of becoming conscious or knowledgeable about something.

news reached us

A more literary or indirect way to express receiving information.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we were notified" to sound more active?

Instead of the passive voice "we were notified", try active alternatives like "we received notification", "we learned", or "we were informed". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality. For example, you can use "we received notification" in formal contexts.

Is "we were notified of" or "we were notified about" more grammatically correct?

"We were notified of" is generally preferred when followed by a specific piece of information or event. "We were notified about" is acceptable but often used for more general topics. Both are grammatically correct, but context dictates the best choice. You could also rephrase with a more active voice.

What's the difference between "we were notified" and "we were informed"?

While similar, "we were notified" often implies a formal or official communication, while "we were informed" can be more general. "Notified" suggests a specific action of delivering information, whereas "we were informed" simply means we gained knowledge.

How to use "we were notified" in a professional email?

In a professional email, use "we were notified" to convey information received formally or officially. For example, "We were notified of the change in policy" is suitable. Ensure the sentence is clear, concise, and includes relevant details. Avoid overly passive constructions for clarity. For example you can use alternative phrasing like "it was brought to our attention".