were previously informed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were previously informed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to information that was communicated to someone at an earlier time. Example: "As per our records, the participants were previously informed about the changes in the schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Parents were previously informed about the study aims and all gave their informed consent.

BMC Public Health

"We were previously informed by the appropriate international authorities that he was in custody in Germany," Jane Robison wrote in a short email to several reporters.

Los Angeles Times

The participants in the study were previously informed of the study objectives and the characteristics of the interview procedure.

Health Research Policy and Systems

All participants were previously informed of the study's objectives and methods, and those who agreed to participate gave their written informed consent.

Human Resources for Health

All participants were previously informed and gave their consent to participate in the study, either directly or through their legal representatives.

Clinical interventions in aging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Mr Foley's mother, Diane, said on Thursday that she had not been previously informed that her son had been waterboarded.

Independent

A detailed clinical examination was performed by the head of wrist surgery who was previously informed about the results of the initial radionuclide uptake in SPECT/CT imaging.

European Journal of Hybrid Imaging

Participants had been previously informed regarding the anonymity and the confidentiality of their answers so that they would feel comfortable giving information and continuing with the research.

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

"With respect to some of these materials, I have been previously informed by the FBI and Justice Department that they would consider their release a red line that must not be crossed as they may compromise sources and methods," Schiff said in a statement.

Huffington Post

In accordance with our results, it has been previously informed that NOS activity is differently regulated in a rat model in which embryo access to the uterus is impaired [5].

Plosone

Many had either been previously informed they were overweight or understood their bodies in this way.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were previously informed", ensure the context clearly indicates who provided the information and when it was communicated. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the statement's credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "were previously informed" when the information was conveyed very recently or is considered common knowledge. Choose a phrase like "are aware" or "were just informed" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were previously informed" functions as a passive construction indicating that a subject received information at an earlier time. Ludwig's examples show it's commonly used in research and news to convey prior knowledge.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were previously informed" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that individuals or entities received information at an earlier time. According to Ludwig, this phrase commonly appears in scientific and news contexts. While semantically similar alternatives exist, such as "had been notified earlier" or "were notified beforehand", the choice depends on the specific nuance desired. When using "were previously informed", ensuring clarity about the information's source and timing is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been notified earlier

Replaces "informed" with "notified" and "previously" with "earlier", emphasizing the act of notification.

were notified beforehand

Substitutes "previously informed" with "notified beforehand", highlighting the advance notice.

were given prior notice

Uses the idiom "given prior notice" instead of "informed", suggesting a formal notification.

had prior knowledge

Focuses on the state of knowing rather than the act of informing.

were already aware

Emphasizes pre-existing awareness, differing from the act of being informed.

were briefed in advance

Replaces "informed" with "briefed", suggesting a concise delivery of information.

had been apprised

Uses the more formal verb "apprised" instead of "informed".

were told earlier

Uses simpler language, replacing "previously informed" with "told earlier".

knew beforehand

Focuses solely on prior knowledge, omitting the element of being told.

had been schooled

Replaces "informed" with "schooled", suggesting some kind of learning and understanding.

FAQs

What does "were previously informed" mean?

The phrase "were previously informed" indicates that someone received information at an earlier point in time. It implies they had prior knowledge of something before a specific event or decision.

When is it appropriate to use "were previously informed"?

Use "were previously informed" when you need to emphasize that someone had prior knowledge or notification about something. This is particularly useful in formal reports, legal documents, or when clarifying the timeline of events.

Are there any alternatives to "were previously informed"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "had been notified earlier", "were notified beforehand", or "had prior knowledge" depending on the specific context.

Is "were previously informed" formal or informal?

"Were previously informed" is generally considered neutral to formal. It is suitable for academic writing, news reports, and professional communication. Simpler alternatives like "were told before" may be more appropriate for informal settings.