we were told to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'we were told to' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to convey that you or someone else was instructed to do or not do something. For example: We were told to leave the building immediately during the fire drill.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We were told to get in.

The New Yorker

"We were told to withdraw yesterday".

The New York Times

Again, we were told to look down.

The New York Times

We were told to send him out.

The New Yorker

We were told to make trenches.

The New York Times - Magazine

Instead, we were told to go shopping.

The New York Times

We were told to go high.

The Guardian - Travel

We were told to expect big exercises.

The Guardian

To this end, we were told to keep a diary.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We were told to vacate the premises by June".

The New York Times - Travel

We were told to hang out while they warmed up.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were told to", ensure clarity about who issued the instruction to avoid ambiguity. For example, "We were told to submit the report by Friday" could be improved to "Our manager told us to submit the report by Friday".

Common error

Avoid using "we were told to" when you can actively state who gave the instruction. Instead of saying "We were told to be quiet", consider "The librarian asked us to be quiet" for a more direct and engaging sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were told to" functions as a passive construction indicating that the subject (we) received an instruction or directive. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability in English writing. This usage conveys that an unspecified source issued a command or suggestion that the subject was expected to follow.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were told to" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate that a group received an instruction or directive. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for written English and frequently appears in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about the source of the instruction and consider using active voice when possible for more direct communication. Be aware of the passive voice construction, and in formal contexts, alternatives like "we received instructions to" might be more appropriate. The phrase serves the purpose of reporting instructions given, and its neutrality makes it versatile across different registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were instructed to

Similar to "directed", but slightly less forceful, implying a structured teaching or guidance scenario.

we were directed to

Emphasizes the authoritative nature of the instruction, suggesting a formal command.

we were requested to

Softer approach implying a polite instruction, rather than a strict command.

we received instructions to

Replaces "told" with a more formal term, "received instructions", emphasizing the reception of directives.

we were asked to

An even softer version of "requested", implying a question or suggestion rather than a command.

our orders were to

Similar to "we had orders to", but emphasizes the formal, written nature of the directive.

we were advised to

Suggests that the instruction was given as advice, not a direct order.

we had orders to

Suggests a military or hierarchical context where instructions are commands.

we were given the task of

Focuses on the assignment or duty that resulted from the instruction.

it was indicated to us that we should

A more roundabout and formal way of stating the instruction, useful in bureaucratic contexts.

FAQs

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

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "we received instructions to" or "we were directed to". These options convey a sense of authority and official instruction.

What's a more casual alternative to "we were told to"?

In informal contexts, you could use phrases such as "we were asked to" or "we were advised to". These options soften the directive and make it sound more like a suggestion or request.

Is "we were told to" grammatically correct?

Yes, "we were told to" is grammatically correct. It uses the passive voice to indicate that "we" received an instruction from an unspecified source. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and can be used in written English.

When should I avoid using "we were told to"?

It's best to avoid "we were told to" when the source of the instruction is known and can be stated directly. Using the active voice (e.g., "The teacher told us to... ") provides more clarity and makes your writing more engaging. Also, be precise about what you "were instructed to" do.