The phrase “I was referred to you by” is common in English. You hear it in emails, calls, LinkedIn messages, and first meetings.
It shows how you found someone and builds instant trust. But using the same sentence again and again can sound dull or awkward.
Learning alternative expressions helps you sound more natural. It also lets you control tone. Some situations need formality. Others need warmth.
The words you choose affect how polite, confident, or professional you appear.
Using varied language is especially useful in business emails, job inquiries, academic writing, and daily conversation. It makes your English flexible and fluent.
Formal: “I was referred to you by Ms. Ahmed.”
Informal: “John suggested I reach out to you.”
Both mean the same thing. The feeling is very different.
What Does “I Was Referred to You By” Mean?
Student-friendly meaning:
It means someone else told you to contact this person or recommended them to you.
Grammar form:
Passive verb phrase (past simple).
“Was referred” + “to” + “by”
Similar expressions (same idea):
- Recommended by
- Directed by
- Introduced by
Opposite tone ideas:
- Cold outreach (“I’m contacting you directly”)
- Self-initiated (“I found you online”)
Example sentences:
- I was referred to you by my manager.
- I was referred to you by a former client.
When to Use “I Was Referred to You By”
Spoken English
Used when meeting someone for the first time. Polite and clear.
Business English
Very common in networking, sales, and client communication.
Emails / Messages
Useful in first-contact emails. Sets context quickly.
Social media
Often shortened or softened, especially on LinkedIn or WhatsApp.
Academic writing
Rare. Academic tone prefers neutral wording.
Professional meetings
Good for introductions and opening statements.
Is “I Was Referred to You By” Polite or Professional?
This phrase is polite and professional. It sounds respectful and safe.
Tone levels:
- Polite: Yes
- Neutral: Yes
- Strong: No
- Soft: Yes
Formal vs Informal:
More formal than casual speech. Less formal than legal writing.
Etiquette tip:
Better for workplace and first emails. Avoid overusing it in casual chats.
Pros & Cons of Using “I Was Referred to You By”
✔ Pros:
- Clear and respectful
- Builds instant trust
- Accepted in professional settings
✘ Cons:
- Sounds stiff in casual talk
- Overused in emails
- Passive voice feels distant
Quick Alternatives List (For Busy Readers)
- I was recommended by
- I was introduced by
- Someone suggested I contact you
- I got your name from
- I was advised to reach out to you
- I was put in touch with you by
- Your name was shared with me by
- A colleague pointed me your way
- I came to you through
- I was connected with you by
- I heard about you from
- I was directed to you by
- I was referred here by
- I’m reaching out on the recommendation of
- I’m contacting you at the suggestion of
- I found you through a mutual contact
- A mutual connection recommended you
I Was Recommended to You By
Meaning:
Someone advised you to contact this person.
Explanation:
This sounds positive and professional. “Recommended” suggests trust and approval.
Grammar Note:
Passive verb phrase.
Example Sentence:
I was recommended to you by Sarah from marketing.
Best Use:
Email, workplace, business networking.
Worst Use:
Very casual chats.
Tone:
Professional, positive.
Level:
Beginner.
Similarity Score:
9/10
Replaceability Tip:
Use this when the referral is strong or respected.
I Was Introduced to You By
Meaning:
Someone connected you formally.
Explanation:
Often used when an actual introduction happened or will happen.
Grammar Note:
Passive phrase.
Example Sentence:
I was introduced to you by our mutual colleague.
Best Use:
Formal meetings, professional emails.
Worst Use:
Cold sales messages.
Tone:
Formal, respectful.
Level:
Beginner.
Similarity Score:
8/10
Replaceability Tip:
Choose this when the connection feels personal.
Someone Suggested I Contact You
Meaning:
A person advised you to reach out.
Explanation:
Softer and more conversational. Sounds friendly.
Grammar Note:
Active sentence.
Example Sentence:
Someone suggested I contact you regarding this project.
Best Use:
Emails, LinkedIn messages.
Worst Use:
Legal or official documents.
Tone:
Neutral, friendly.
Level:
Beginner.
Similarity Score:
8/10
Replaceability Tip:
Good when you want less formality.
I Was Advised to Reach Out to You
Meaning:
Someone told you to contact this person.
Explanation:
Professional but not stiff. Very common in modern emails.
Grammar Note:
Passive structure.
Example Sentence:
I was advised to reach out to you about this role.
Best Use:
Workplace emails.
Worst Use:
Casual texting.
Tone:
Professional, soft.
Level:
Intermediate.
Similarity Score:
9/10
Replaceability Tip:
Use this when asking for help or guidance.
I Got Your Name From
Meaning:
You learned about them through someone.
Explanation:
Informal and natural. Common in speech.
Grammar Note:
Active verb phrase.
Example Sentence:
I got your name from Tom in finance.
Best Use:
Casual emails, spoken English.
Worst Use:
Formal letters.
Tone:
Friendly.
Level:
Beginner.
Similarity Score:
7/10
Replaceability Tip:
Use when tone matters more than status.
A Colleague Pointed Me Your Way
Meaning:
A coworker suggested you.
Explanation:
Very natural. Sounds relaxed and confident.
Grammar Note:
Idiomatic phrase.
Example Sentence:
A colleague pointed me your way for advice.
Best Use:
Casual workplace talk.
Worst Use:
Academic writing.
Tone:
Informal, friendly.
Level:
Intermediate.
Similarity Score:
6/10
Replaceability Tip:
Use only in relaxed settings.
I Was Put in Touch With You By
Meaning:
Someone connected you directly.
Explanation:
Clear and professional. Common in emails.
Grammar Note:
Passive phrase.
Example Sentence:
I was put in touch with you by our HR team.
Best Use:
Emails, introductions.
Worst Use:
Very casual chats.
Tone:
Professional.
Level:
Beginner.
Similarity Score:
9/10
Replaceability Tip:
Great for formal introductions.
I’m Reaching Out on the Recommendation of
Meaning:
You contacted them because someone suggested it.
Explanation:
Polite and polished. Sounds confident.
Grammar Note:
Formal verb phrase.
Example Sentence:
I’m reaching out on the recommendation of Mr. Khan.
Best Use:
Business emails.
Worst Use:
Text messages.
Tone:
Formal.
Level:
Advanced.
Similarity Score:
8/10
Replaceability Tip:
Use when status matters.
I Was Directed to You By
Meaning:
Someone guided you to this person.
Explanation:
Neutral and efficient. No emotion.
Grammar Note:
Passive phrase.
Example Sentence:
I was directed to you by the support team.
Best Use:
Customer service emails.
Worst Use:
Warm networking.
Tone:
Neutral.
Level:
Intermediate.
Similarity Score:
8/10
Replaceability Tip:
Best for technical or service contexts.
A Mutual Contact Suggested I Get in Touch
Meaning:
You share a connection who suggested contact.
Explanation:
Builds trust quickly.
Grammar Note:
Active phrase.
Example Sentence:
A mutual contact suggested I get in touch.
Best Use:
Networking, LinkedIn.
Worst Use:
Formal letters.
Tone:
Professional, friendly.
Level:
Intermediate.
Similarity Score:
7/10
Replaceability Tip:
Use to highlight shared networks.
Mini Dialogue Examples
Formal Conversation
“Good morning. I was referred to you by Dr. Ali regarding this matter.”
Informal Conversation
“Hey, Sarah suggested I reach out to you.”
Business Email Style
“I was advised to reach out to you by our project manager regarding the timeline.”
Mistakes to Avoid
- Using casual phrases in formal emails
- Forgetting the person’s name
- Overusing passive voice
- Sounding too indirect
- Mixing formal and slang styles
- Being vague about the referral
Cultural & Tone Tips
In US English, friendly alternatives are welcome, even at work.
In UK English, polite and softer phrases sound better.
In casual social English, short and active phrases feel natural.
Comparison Table
| Phrase | Tone | Best Context | Professional Level | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I was recommended by | Professional | High | I was recommended by my manager. | |
| Someone suggested I contact you | Neutral | Networking | Medium | Someone suggested I contact you. |
| I got your name from | Friendly | Casual | Low | I got your name from Alex. |
| I was put in touch with you by | Professional | Workplace | High | I was put in touch with you by HR. |
| A mutual contact suggested | Friendly | Medium | A mutual contact suggested I reach out. |
FAQs
Is “I was referred to you by” rude?
No. It is polite and professional.
Is it okay in emails?
Yes. Very common and accepted.
What is the most formal alternative?
“I’m reaching out on the recommendation of…”
What is the most polite alternative?
“I was advised to reach out to you…”
What should beginners use?
“I was recommended by…”
Can I use informal options at work?
Yes, but only in relaxed teams.
Conclusion
Knowing other ways to say “I was referred to you by” makes your English smoother and more confident. Each alternative carries a different tone.
Some sound formal. Others feel friendly or modern. Choosing the right one helps you sound natural in emails, meetings, and conversations.
Word variation improves clarity and fluency. It also shows awareness of context and culture. Practice these phrases in real messages. Try different tones.
Over time, your English will sound more flexible and professional.
John Lee is an education-focused writer with a strong interest in English grammar and language learning.
He creates clear, student-friendly content to help learners improve their grammar skills with confidence.