were you told

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were you told" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to ask someone if they received information from someone else. Example: "Were you told about the project deadline?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By whom were you told it?

The Washington Post

JP: So when were you told, then?

The Guardian

Were you told this by your great-grandfather?

Princeton University

COL.AMEN: What were you told at this meeting by Canaris?

Yale University

Q: When were you told about Miranda's detention?

The Guardian

Or what were you told it would be?

The New York Times

Q: What were you told is the difference between oral history and journalism?

Columbia University

What were you told about the rationale for making the change?

The New York Times

Were you told this by older family members who had heard it from older family members?" None of them had.

Princeton University

What rules were you told explicitly when you joined the team?

Harvard Business Review

For example, were you told in school never to begin a sentence with a conjunction?

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the level of formality required. While acceptable in most contexts, more formal situations might benefit from phrases like "were you apprised of" or "were you informed of".

Common error

Avoid using "was you told" instead of the correct form "were you told". The verb "were" is used because the subject "you" is plural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were you told" functions as an interrogative clause, specifically a passive question. It seeks to determine whether the listener received specific information from an unspecified source. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which showcase various contexts where this phrase is used to inquire about the conveyance of information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were you told" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive question that inquires whether someone received specific information. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. It's most commonly found in News & Media, Academia, and Science, with a neutral register suitable for general communication. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the potential source of information and avoid the common error of using "was" instead of "were" with the pronoun "you". Alternatives like "did anyone inform you" or "were you advised" can offer nuanced variations in formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did anyone inform you

Emphasizes the act of informing, shifting the focus slightly from the information itself to the action of communicating it.

were you advised

Suggests guidance or recommendation was given, implying a level of expertise or authority in the source of information.

did you receive notification

Highlights the formal delivery of information, often in an official or procedural context.

was it communicated to you

Focuses on the communication aspect, often used when the method of delivery is important or being questioned.

did someone mention to you

Implies a casual or informal sharing of information, often as a passing remark.

were you briefed

Suggests a formal and concise presentation of essential information, typically in a professional or strategic context.

were you instructed

Highlights that directive or instruction was given, implying action should be taken after receiving information.

did you learn

Focuses on the acquisition of knowledge by the individual, without necessarily specifying the source.

were you apprised of

Indicates that someone was officially and thoroughly informed about a particular matter.

did you hear about

Implies indirect acquisition of information, frequently through rumors or general knowledge.

FAQs

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

The phrase "were you told" is used to inquire whether someone received specific information. For example, "Were you told about the changes to the project timeline?"

What's a more formal alternative to "were you told"?

In formal contexts, you could use phrases like "were you apprised of" or "were you informed of" to convey a similar meaning with increased formality.

Is it correct to say "was you told" instead of "were you told"?

No, "was you told" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "were you told", as the plural verb "were" agrees with the pronoun "you".

What's the difference between "were you told" and "did you know"?

"Were you told" specifically asks if someone provided you with information. "Did you know", on the other hand, simply asks if you possess the knowledge, regardless of the source.