were notified

USAGE SUMMARY

"were notified" is correct and usable in written English.
It is the past tense of "to be notified." For example: The passengers were notified that their flight had been delayed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

U.S. authorities were notified.

The New York Times

All the victims were notified.

The New York Times - Health

Police were notified by ambulance service personnel.

The Guardian

"We were notified by the press.

The Guardian

Workers were notified of the layoffs yesterday.

The New York Times

Last November, those 100 finalists were notified.

The New York Times - Magazine

State and federal health authorities were notified.

The New York Times - Health

The families were notified about the dedication ceremony last week.

The New York Times

(The police were notified that there was nothing nefarious afoot).

The New Yorker

Superiors were notified and she eventually got in.

The New York Times

Until now, consumers were notified through letters from the automakers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were notified", clearly state who did the notifying to provide full context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "were notified" without specifying who did the notifying, as this can lead to ambiguity and confusion. Always clarify the source of the notification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were notified" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone received information. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts, from news reports to scientific articles, confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were notified" is a common and grammatically correct passive voice construction used to indicate that someone received information. As shown by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. When using "were notified", it's essential to specify who did the notifying to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "were informed" or "were advised" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and broad applicability, making it a reliable choice for various writing purposes. The contexts in the provided examples range from official announcements to reports of incidents, illustrating the versatility of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were informed

This alternative emphasizes the reception of information, focusing on the act of being told something.

were told

This is a simpler and more direct way of saying "were notified".

were advised

This suggests a more formal notification, often involving guidance or recommendations.

were updated

This implies receiving the latest information about something.

were alerted

This implies a warning or call to attention regarding something important.

were apprised

This is a more formal and less common way of saying "were informed".

received notice

This emphasizes the act of getting an official communication or announcement.

were made aware

This highlights the process of becoming conscious or knowledgeable about something.

were communicated with

This emphasizes the act of communication, implying a two-way exchange.

were reached

This focuses on establishing contact and delivering the information.

FAQs

How can I use "were notified" in a sentence?

You can use "were notified" to indicate that someone received information about something. For example, "The employees "were notified" of the company's new policy last week".

What are some alternatives to "were notified"?

Some alternatives to "were notified" include "were informed", "were advised", or "were alerted". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "notify"?

Whether to use active or passive voice depends on the context. Active voice (e.g., "The company notified the employees") is more direct, while passive voice (e.g., "The employees "were notified"") emphasizes the recipient of the information.

What's the difference between "were notified" and "were informed"?

While similar, "were notified" often implies a formal or official communication, whereas "were informed" is a more general term for receiving information. The subtle difference depends on the context.