you were told

USAGE SUMMARY

"you were told" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone has communicated information to you. For example: "You were told to bring a pencil for the exam - don't forget it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I think you were told.

Independent

'We thought you were told.

The Guardian - Film

You were told some time today, clearly.

The Guardian

So you did as you were told".

The Guardian

You just had to do as you were told.

Independent

You were told that this would be acceptable".

The Guardian

That's what you were told, that's what you were taught.

The New York Times

DR. SAUTER: You were told about these things during your interrogations in Frankfurt after your arrest?

Yale University

Well, that was the night before you were told that, wasn't it?

Cornell University

You were told (not by me) that you'd have to bring your SA passport.

The New York Times

You said the church steps....  MAY: Susan — we feel that it's time you were told this.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "you were told" to indicate that the information you're presenting came from an external source, adding credibility or objectivity to your statement. This is particularly useful in formal writing or reporting where source attribution is important.

Common error

Ensure clarity by specifying who did the telling, especially when the source of information is relevant. Avoid vague constructions that leave the reader wondering about the origin of the information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "you were told" functions as a passive construction, where the subject (you) receives the action of being told. This construction is used to convey that information, instructions, or advice were communicated to the subject. Ludwig's examples confirm its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

21%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "you were told" is a versatile and commonly used phrase that indicates information was conveyed to someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appropriate for a wide range of contexts. Its primary function is to report or acknowledge previously received information, often adding a degree of objectivity or source attribution. While neutral in register, it is more frequently found in News & Media and Academic settings. To ensure clarity, specifying who did the telling can enhance the effectiveness of your writing. Consider alternatives such as "you were informed" or "you received information" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

you were informed

A more formal way of saying you received information.

you received information

Emphasizes the reception of information rather than the act of being told.

you had been told

Uses the past perfect tense to emphasize the action happened before a certain time.

it was communicated to you

Highlights the act of communication towards you.

it was brought to your attention

Emphasizes that something was made known to you.

someone told you

Active voice transformation.

you heard

A simpler and more direct way of indicating you received information aurally.

you were advised

Suggests the information came in the form of advice.

you learned

Focuses on the acquisition of knowledge.

you were given to understand

Indicates an implicit or indirect communication.

FAQs

How to use "you were told" in a sentence?

Use "you were told" to indicate that someone received information from another party. For example, "You were told to bring your passport to the interview" implies someone instructed you to do so.

What can I say instead of "you were told"?

You can use alternatives like "you were informed", "you received information", or "it was communicated to you" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when using "you were told"?

While "you were told" uses passive voice, the active voice (e.g., "someone told you") is also acceptable and can sometimes be more direct. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the receiver or the giver of the information.

Which is correct, "you were told" or "you was told"?

"You were told" is grammatically correct. "You was told" is incorrect because the correct form of the past tense of 'to be' with 'you' is 'were'.