we were told about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were told about" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that was communicated to a group of people. Examples of when to use it include: 1. In a formal report: "During the meeting, we were told about the company's new policy changes." 2. In a conversation: "Last week, we were told about the upcoming changes to the school curriculum." 3. In a presentation: "As part of our training, we were told about the importance of data privacy." 4. In a news article: "The victims' families were told about the tragic incident by the police chief."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The gods we were told about were Pynchon and high modernism.

The New York Times - Books

We were told about this little restaurant.

The New York Times

Not that we were told about this national whip-round.

The Guardian - Opinion

Then, we were told about a secret network of extremists.

The New York Times

Nonetheless, near the end of our stay we were told about Celedonio, the parador's resident phantom.

The New York Times - Travel

We were told about an exciting new cartoon version of the manifesto.

The Guardian

We were told about the deportation when we were growing up.

The Guardian

About two years ago we were told about a new resort project.

The New York Times

At the introductory lecture at one university, we were told about "disability arts" on the curriculum.

The Guardian

Towards the beginning of our investigation of The Shipping News, we were told about the end.

The Guardian - Books

We were told about Orgosolo by an Italian on the ferry to Sardinia from Barcelona.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were told about" to indicate that a group received information from an external source. This phrasing is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Always consider if a more direct verb like 'informed' or 'notified' would be more appropriate depending on the formality level.

Common error

Avoid using "we were told about" when you want to emphasize who provided the information. In such cases, use the active voice, e.g., "The manager told us about the new policy", instead of "We were told about the new policy."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were told about" functions as a passive construction used to indicate that a group received information concerning a specific topic or event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were told about" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive construction indicating the receipt of information by a group. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and widespread application. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for general reporting. While versatile, it's important to consider if a more direct or formal alternative might better suit the specific context. Remember to prioritize clarity, avoid overusing the passive voice when the actor is important, and make sure you are using the most accurate alternative depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were notified about

Signifies receiving formal notification regarding something.

we were informed of

Formal way to say that information was officially communicated to someone.

it was reported to us

Indicates the receipt of official or formal information.

we were advised about

Suggests receiving counsel or recommendations concerning a matter.

we learned of

Implies gaining knowledge, possibly through more indirect means.

we were apprised of

A more formal and less common way of saying we were informed.

we heard of

Suggests receiving information through hearsay or general communication.

information was conveyed to us concerning

Formal way of saying that information was transferred to a group.

we found out about

Implies discovering information, often through investigation or chance.

details were shared with us regarding

Highlights that details were communicated. Slightly verbose.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we were told about" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, you can replace "we were told about" with phrases like "we were informed of", "we were notified about", or "it was reported to us", depending on the context.

Is "we were told about" too informal for academic writing?

While "we were told about" isn't strictly incorrect, it can sometimes sound less formal. In academic writing, consider using phrases like "we learned of" or "we discovered that" for a more scholarly tone.

What's the difference between "we were told about" and "we heard about"?

"We were told about" implies a direct conveyance of information, whereas "we heard about" suggests that the information was received more indirectly, possibly through hearsay or general knowledge.

Can "we were told about" be used in business communication?

Yes, "we were told about" is perfectly acceptable in most business contexts. However, for more formal business communication, alternatives like "we were advised about" or "we were informed about" might be preferred.