you were told that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "you were told that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to information or instructions that were previously communicated to someone. Example: "You were told that the meeting would start at 10 AM, so please be on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

You were told that this would be acceptable".

The Guardian

Would you keep something secret because you were told that it could endanger an operation?

The New Yorker

"The impression one gets is you were told that many children were being abused," McClellan said.

The Guardian

Back then, you were told that HIV might take five or 10 years off your life.

The Guardian

"You were told that this information, if released, would cause serious damage to people," Haggis told me.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

If you're told that often enough, you believe it.

The Guardian - Arts

No, you're told that is the worst thing to do.

The New York Times - Magazine

Maybe that's because I'm coming from a culture where you are told that was wrong, you know?

BMC Cancer

And the longer the eye contact, the more you're telling that person that you're really interested in them.

WikiHow

When you are told that the flight is overbooked and you have no seat, remain calm.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "you were told that", ensure the context clearly indicates who provided the information and whether the information is reliable or verified.

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice construction "you were told that" in situations where active voice would make the sentence more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "you were told that the deadline was Friday", consider "they told you the deadline was Friday."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "you were told that" functions as a reporting clause, introducing information that has been previously communicated to the subject. It sets the stage for reporting speech or conveying directives received. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "you were told that" is a versatile phrase used to introduce information that has been communicated to someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and very common in written English. While it fits comfortably in neutral contexts like news and media, it can also be found in more formal or informal settings. When using this phrase, ensure that the source of the information is clear and that the context is appropriate. Consider alternatives like "you were informed that" or "you learned that" for variations in formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

you were informed that

A more formal and direct way of saying someone provided information.

you were advised that

Implies that someone gave you a recommendation or guidance.

you received information that

Emphasizes the reception of information, using a more formal tone.

it was communicated to you that

Highlights the act of communication in a formal manner.

it was explained to you that

Highlights the act of explaining something to someone.

you learned that

Focuses on the acquisition of knowledge or awareness.

the information given to you was that

Emphasizes the nature and source of the information.

it came to your attention that

Suggests that information was brought to someone's notice.

they told you that

Shifts the focus to the people who did the telling.

you heard that

A more informal way of saying you received information.

FAQs

What does "you were told that" mean?

The phrase "you were told that" indicates that someone received information or instructions from another person or source. It's a common way to introduce reported information or directives.

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

You can use "you were told that" to introduce information that was conveyed to someone. For example, "You were told that the meeting was postponed", or "You were told that you needed to submit the report by Friday."

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

You can use alternatives like "you were informed that", "you learned that", or "it was communicated to you that" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "you were told that" formal or informal?

The phrase "you were told that" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "you were informed that" might be preferred in highly formal settings.