were briefed on

USAGE SUMMARY

"were briefed on" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to express that someone (or a group of people) received information about a specific topic. For example: The new employees were briefed on the company's safety policies.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Employees at Parallels were briefed on the acquisition Tuesday, one source said.

TechCrunch

Sources who were briefed on the probe Sunday said drowning is one of several scenarios investigators are exploring.

Los Angeles Times

"We were briefed on that, you know.

The New York Times

We were briefed on that about three times.

The New York Times

"You were briefed on that intelligence a year ago".

The New York Times

Members of Congress were briefed on the breach on Thursday.

The Guardian - Tech

Terrorism specialists in Congress were briefed on it this week.

The New York Times

Members of Congress were briefed on the report June 25 by NIC chairman Thomas Fingar.

Columbia University

Bear Stearns did, and Long-Term Capital complied, people who were briefed on their relationship said.

The New York Times

Senior members of Congress were briefed on the details of the arms deal last night.

The Guardian

We were briefed on the shores of Staten Island about the devastation we'd see.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were briefed on", ensure the context clearly indicates who provided the briefing and what the topic of the briefing was. This adds clarity and authority to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "were briefed on" excessively in contexts where active voice would be more direct and engaging. For instance, instead of "The team were briefed on the new strategy", consider "The manager briefed the team on the new strategy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were briefed on" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone received information or instructions about a specific topic. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

27%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were briefed on" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that someone received specific information, often in a formal setting. Ludwig AI confirms this. Its usage is prevalent in news and media, science, and academic contexts. While alternative phrases like "were informed about" or "were updated on" exist, "were briefed on" implies a more structured conveyance of information. When using the phrase, ensure that the context is clear and specific, detailing who provided the briefing and its subject matter. Be mindful of passive voice overuse, and consider active voice alternatives for more direct writing. This comprehensive analysis should aid in effectively using "were briefed on" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were informed about

This alternative is a more general way to say that someone received information, without necessarily implying a formal briefing.

were made aware of

This is a gentler way of saying that someone was informed about something, often used when the information is sensitive or potentially concerning.

were updated on

This alternative implies that new or additional information was provided on a topic that was already known.

were filled in on

This implies that someone was given all the necessary details, especially after being absent or uninformed.

were given a presentation on

This alternative specifies that the information was delivered in a presentation format.

were advised about

This alternative emphasizes the provision of guidance or recommendations, rather than just information.

received instructions on

This suggests a more specific and directive form of information transfer, focusing on guidance.

were apprised of

This is a more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying "were informed", suitable for professional or official contexts.

were lectured on

This suggests a more didactic or instructional setting, where someone is formally taught about a subject.

were schooled in

Suggests a thorough, potentially rigorous, imparting of knowledge, often over a period of time

FAQs

How can I use "were briefed on" in a sentence?

You can use "were briefed on" to indicate that someone received information about a particular subject. For example, "The senators "were briefed on" the new intelligence report."

What's a more formal alternative to "were briefed on"?

A more formal alternative is "were apprised of", which suggests a more official or serious communication of information.

Is "were briefed about" grammatically correct?

While "were briefed about" might be understood, ""were briefed on"" is the more idiomatic and commonly accepted phrasing.

What's the difference between "were briefed on" and "were informed of"?

"Were briefed on" often implies a more structured or formal presentation of information, while "were informed of" is a more general way of saying that someone received information.