were told

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were told" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to information that was communicated to someone in the past. Example: "They were told to arrive early for the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

$250 they were told.

The New Yorker

Both were told no.

The New York Times

Relax, we were told.

The New York Times - Sports

We were told no.

The New Yorker

"Lies were told.

The Guardian

Or so parishioners were told.

The New York Times

Of course they were told.

Independent

I think you were told.

Independent

Others were told the opposite.

The New Yorker

"We were told nothing.

The Washington Post

Scaremongering, we were told.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were told", ensure the context clearly indicates who provided the information to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive voice constructions like "were told". Sometimes, active voice makes your writing more direct and engaging. Instead of "they were told to wait", consider "someone told them to wait".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "were told" is to form a passive construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence received information or instructions. As Ludwig shows, this phrase is commonly used in news and media to report what people have learned.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Academia

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were told" is a versatile and commonly used phrase indicating that someone received information or instructions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts, especially in news and media. While predominantly neutral in register, writers should be mindful of overusing passive constructions and consider using active voice for more direct communication. Consider "were informed", "were advised", and "were instructed" as potential alternatives based on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were informed

Indicates a formal communication or notification.

were advised

Suggests that a recommendation or guidance was provided.

were instructed

Implies a direct order or command was given.

were notified

Focuses on the act of giving notice about something.

received information

Highlights the act of gaining knowledge or data.

were apprised of

Signifies a formal or official informing.

were made aware

Emphasizes becoming conscious or informed about something.

were let know

Suggests a casual or informal communication.

were given to understand

Implies a subtle or indirect communication.

were filled in on

Indicates that someone received complete information about something.

FAQs

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

You can use "were told" to indicate that someone received information. For example, "The students "were told to read the chapter" before class".

What are some alternatives to using "were told"?

Alternatives include "were informed", "were advised", or "were instructed", depending on the context.

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

While "were told" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can sometimes make your writing more direct. For instance, instead of "They were told to leave", you could say "Someone told them to leave".

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

"Were told" generally implies a simple communication, while "were informed" often suggests a more formal or official notification. The choice depends on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.