were informed of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were informed of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to express that someone has been told something or was made aware of something. For example: The employees were informed of the changes to the new shift schedule.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

School officials were informed of the plot.

The New York Times - Sports

Senior editorial executives were informed of the plans on Tuesday.

The Guardian

Staff were informed of the cuts on Tuesday.

The Guardian - Money

Season-ticket holders were informed of the increase this week.

The New York Times

You were informed of that, were you not?

Yale University

They were informed of his death at 11.30pm that night.

Independent

Staff were informed of the news in an internal memo.

Independent

They did their final show and were informed of their dismissal afterward.

The New York Times - Sports

The minutes show that all three members of the compensation committee were informed of the loans.

The New York Times

The plan was formed earlier this week and narcotics commanders were informed of it on Wednesday.

The New York Times

Two sources said staff were informed of the closure on Wednesday.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were informed of", ensure the subject clearly identifies who received the information and the object specifies what information was conveyed. For example, "The team members were informed of the project's new deadline."

Common error

Avoid using overly general subjects like "people" without specifying which people received the information. Instead of writing "People were informed of the changes", specify the group, such as "Residents were informed of the construction plans."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were informed of" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject received specific information. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

31%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were informed of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that a subject has received information. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability across various contexts. It is particularly common in news, scientific, and academic writing. When using the phrase, clarity regarding who was informed and what information they received is key. While alternatives such as "were notified of" and "were advised of" exist, "were informed of" remains a solid and reliable choice for conveying the transmission of information. Remember to specify the subject clearly to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were notified about

Focuses on the act of giving official notice, implying a formal communication.

were advised of

Suggests guidance or counsel was provided regarding something.

received notification of

Highlights the reception of information, suggesting a formal process.

were made aware of

Emphasizes the gaining of knowledge or understanding.

were given information about

Focuses on the act of providing details or data.

were told of

A more direct and informal way of saying information was conveyed.

had been briefed on

Implies a concise and informative session, often in a professional setting.

learned about

Indicates the process of acquiring information, often through general means.

were acquainted with

Implies familiarity or understanding gained over time, though potentially less direct.

had knowledge of

Implies a state of awareness or understanding, potentially acquired independently.

FAQs

How can I use "were informed of" in a sentence?

Use "were informed of" to indicate that someone or a group received specific information. For example, "The students "were informed of" the upcoming exam schedule".

What are some alternatives to "were informed of"?

You can use alternatives such as "were notified of", "were advised of", or "were made aware of" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "were informed of" or "were notified of"?

"Were informed of" and "were notified of" are similar, but "were notified of" often implies a more formal or official communication. Choose the phrase that best fits the tone and context of your writing.

Can "were informed of" be used in formal writing?

Yes, ""were informed of"" is suitable for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to indicate the transmission of information, as seen in examples from sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian.