were informed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were informed by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone received information from a specific source or person. Example: "The committee members were informed by the director about the changes in the policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Students were informed by a text alert.

The New York Times

But even his most vigorous denunciations were informed by humour.

The Guardian

Police said they were informed by someone watching the stream.

The Guardian

But his choices were informed by more than instinct.

The New York Times - Arts

It is likely the chants were informed by the venue more than the opposition.

The Guardian - Opinion

Flynn's ideas were informed by his experience in helping to overhaul JSOC.

The New Yorker

Clarett and his mother, Michelle, were informed by Geiger yesterday morning what the punishment would be.

The New York Times - Sports

It was as if his performance were informed by the spirit of Clara Schumann herself.

The New Yorker

His monsters, meanwhile, were informed by science, and seemed to hail from the evolutionary past.

The New Yorker

Yet we were informed by the commissioner that it had been.

The Guardian - Opinion

Although the paintings were informed by thousands of years of tradition, they were hardly folk art.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the level of formality required by the context. While "were informed by" is generally suitable for formal writing, "were told by" might be more appropriate in informal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "were informed by" without specifying the source, as this can weaken your statement. Instead of saying, "We were informed by the details", specify, "We were informed by the details outlined in the report."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were informed by" functions as a passive construction indicating that someone or something received information from a specified source. Ludwig AI's examples show its usage across different domains, highlighting its role in conveying the receipt of information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

55%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were informed by" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate the source of information. Ludwig AI shows it is frequently found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, reflecting a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, it's crucial to clearly specify the source to maintain clarity and credibility. While alternatives like "were notified by" or "were told by" exist, "were informed by" provides a balance of formality suitable for diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were notified by

Focuses on the act of being officially told something, similar to "were informed by" but with a slightly more formal tone.

were advised by

Emphasizes the aspect of receiving guidance or counsel, suggesting a more proactive role of the information source.

were told by

A more direct and informal way of saying that information was received from someone.

received information from

Highlights the act of getting data, placing focus on the information acquired.

were made aware by

Stresses the act of becoming conscious of something, emphasizing awareness as the outcome.

learned from

Suggests an educational aspect where information contributed to enhanced knowledge or understanding.

were updated by

Implies receiving the latest information on a topic, suggesting ongoing communication.

were instructed by

Focuses on receiving specific directions or commands, suggesting an authoritative source.

were apprised of by

A more formal and less common way of saying they were informed, often used in legal or official contexts.

gained insight from

Emphasizes understanding or a deeper comprehension that resulted from the information obtained.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "were informed by"?

You can use alternatives like "were notified by", "were advised by", or "were told by" depending on the context.

How to use "were informed by" in a sentence?

Use "were informed by" to indicate the source of information. For example, "The students were informed by the professor about the upcoming exam."

Is "were informed by" formal or informal?

"Were informed by" is generally considered formal. In more informal contexts, you might prefer "were told by".

What is the difference between "were informed by" and "were notified by"?

"Were informed by" is a general way of saying information was received, while "were notified by" suggests a more official or formal communication.