you were informed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "you were informed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone who has received information or been made aware of something in the past. Example: "As per our previous conversation, you were informed about the changes in the schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

DS, London After you arrived home, you were informed the map on the website had been corrected by Lastminute.com, which is something.

The Guardian - Money

"But I was told you were informed I'd be late," said Mr. Soss, a small man with a put-upon demeanor.

The New York Times

You were informed of this.

BBC

Do you remember the moment you were informed that you had earned a promotion?

Huffington Post

If elitist means that you were against the Iraq war from the start because you were informed enough to see the horror ahead, then I am an elitist, as were so many in this country, particularly Barack Obama.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

You thought you were informing us, warning us against those who might deliberately try to "shipwreck" our faith.

Huffington Post

"Now you are informed," he said.

The New York Times

He said: "When you download the app you're informed you get a free coffee (essentially the digital loyalty card has already been filled once for you).

Independent

"You are informed that you will be paying for this trip with currency, yes?" "No, not like that," he said, "tips are for small things, like directions.

The New Yorker

When you are informed that 200 children are missing, you don't go to dinner until you have got to the bottom of it.

The Guardian - Books

You are only able to ask those questions if you're informed, but my job is not to show people all the work I've done.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "you were informed" when you want to emphasize the passive reception of information. This construction is suitable for formal and neutral contexts where the focus is on the recipient's state of knowledge.

Common error

Avoid using "you were informed" when you actually mean to say that you actively sought out the information. In such cases, phrases like "you found out" or "you learned" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "you were informed" primarily functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject (you) received information from an unspecified source. As Ludwig AI explains, this construction emphasizes the state of being informed rather than the action of informing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "you were informed" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive construction that indicates the reception of information. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. The phrase is versatile, finding application across diverse contexts such as News & Media, Wiki, and Science. It serves primarily to ensure the listener or reader is aware of specific information. While suitable for various registers, it leans towards a neutral tone. When choosing alternatives, consider nuances like formality (e.g., "you were notified") or emphasis on guidance (e.g., "you were advised").

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

you were notified

This alternative emphasizes the act of being officially told something.

you were made aware

This emphasizes becoming conscious or cognizant of something.

you were advised

This suggests receiving guidance or a recommendation about something.

you were told

This is a general way of saying that someone gave you information.

you received notice

This implies a formal or official communication.

it was brought to your attention

This highlights that something was intentionally pointed out to you.

you were apprised

This suggests being formally informed of something specific.

you understood

Emphasizes comprehension after information delivery.

you had been filled in

Informal way of saying you were given all the necessary details.

you learned

This is a more general way to suggest the user acquired knowledge.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "you were informed" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, you could use phrases such as "you were notified" or "you were apprised". These alternatives suggest a more official communication.

Is it correct to use "you were informed of" or "you were informed about"?

Both "you were informed of" and "you were informed about" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on the specific context and what follows the phrase. For instance, "you were informed of the decision" or "you were informed about the changes".

What's a less formal way to say "you were informed"?

For a less formal option, you can say "you were told" or "you were filled in". These options are more conversational.

How does "you were informed" differ from "you were warned"?

"You were informed" simply means you received information, while "you were warned" implies you received information about a potential danger or negative consequence. The latter carries a sense of impending risk.