Quick Answer: If you’re looking for other ways to say I was referred to you by, try: I was introduced to you by, I was recommended by, I was advised to contact you by, your name was given to me by, I was directed to you by.
These alternatives help you sound more professional, polite, and confident in business and networking situations.
The phrase “I was referred to you by” is commonly used when reaching out to someone through a mutual contact.
It often appears in professional emails, job inquiries, sales outreach, and networking messages to establish credibility and trust.
Learning alternatives to I was referred to you by improves fluency, avoids repetition, and helps you express excitement in English while maintaining professionalism.
“A strong introduction builds instant credibility in professional English.”
Quick Categories
Formal alternatives to “I was referred to you by”
- I was introduced to you by
- I was advised to contact you by
- I was recommended by
- Your name was provided by
Pro Tips Box:
Formal alternatives work best in first-contact emails, job inquiries, and official communication.
Casual alternatives
- Someone suggested I reach out
- I got your name from
- A friend told me to contact you
- I heard about you through
Pro Tips Box:
Casual phrasing is suitable for friendly outreach but should be avoided in formal business emails.
Professional alternatives
- I was referred to you through
- I was directed to you by
- I was connected with you by
- I was encouraged to contact you by
Pro Tips Box:
Professional alternatives balance politeness and authority while establishing context.
Informal expressions
- I was put in touch with you by
- Someone passed along your contact
- I got connected through
- I was pointed your way by
Pro Tips Box:
Informal expressions are best for spoken English or relaxed professional settings.
“Professional introductions should sound confident, not casual.”
Common Mistakes Using “I Was Referred to You By”
- Forgetting to mention the referrer clearly
Example: I was referred to you by someone in your team. - Using overly casual language in formal emails
Example: A guy told me to email you. - Misspelling the referrer’s name
Example: I was referred to you by Jhon Smith. - Sounding demanding instead of polite
Example: I was referred to you by Sarah, so please respond. - Not explaining the reason for contact
Example: I was referred to you by Ahmed.
What Does “I Was Referred to You By” Mean?
It means “I am contacting you because someone recommended or connected me to you.”
Grammatically, it uses the passive voice to emphasize the referral rather than the speaker.
Example:
I was referred to you by Mr. Khan regarding a potential opportunity.
When to Use “I Was Referred to You By”
- Job applications
- Business introductions
- Sales or outreach emails
- Networking messages
Spoken vs Written: Mostly written
Formal vs Informal: Neutral to professional
Is It Professional or Polite to Say “I Was Referred to You By”?
The phrase is both polite and professional when used correctly.
Business-style example:
I was referred to you by our mutual colleague, Ms. Ahmed.
Polite? ✔️ Yes
Professional? ✔️ Yes
“Clear referrals instantly increase trust in professional communication.”
Pros and Cons of Using “I Was Referred to You By”
Pros
- Builds credibility
- Sounds polite and respectful
- Common in professional English
- Easy to understand
Cons
- Can sound repetitive
- Slightly passive
- Less engaging if overused
- Not ideal for casual speech
Other Ways to Say “I Was Referred to You By” (With Examples)
These alternatives will help you sound more fluent, confident, and natural in professional and social situations.
Use them according to tone, context, and audience to express excitement in English or establish credibility.
1. Phrase: I was introduced to you by
Meaning: Someone formally connected you
Explanation: Polite and professional
Example Sentence: I was introduced to you by Mr. Ali during the conference.
Best Use: Business emails
Worst Use: Casual texts
Tone: Professional, polite
Context Variability: professional
2. Phrase: I was recommended by
Meaning: Someone suggested you make contact
Explanation: Highlights trust
Example Sentence: I was recommended by Sarah to reach out to you.
Best Use: Job inquiries
Worst Use: Casual talk
Tone: Professional
Context Variability: professional
3. Phrase: I was advised to contact you by
Meaning: Suggests guidance
Explanation: Formal and respectful
Example Sentence: I was advised to contact you by my supervisor.
Best Use: Workplace emails
Worst Use: Informal chat
Tone: Formal
Context Variability: professional
4. Phrase: Your name was given to me by
Meaning: Indicates referral without obligation
Explanation: Neutral phrasing
Example Sentence: Your name was given to me by Mr. Khan.
Best Use: Cold outreach
Worst Use: Friendly speech
Tone: Neutral
Context Variability: professional
5. Phrase: I was directed to you by
Meaning: Suggests guidance or instruction
Explanation: Professional and clear
Example Sentence: I was directed to you by the HR department.
Best Use: Corporate emails
Worst Use: Casual use
Tone: Professional
Context Variability: professional
6. Phrase: I was connected with you by
Meaning: Emphasizes networking
Explanation: Modern professional tone
Example Sentence: I was connected with you by LinkedIn.
Best Use: Networking
Worst Use: Formal letters
Tone: Neutral
Context Variability: professional
7. Phrase: I was referred to you through
Meaning: Indirect referral
Explanation: Useful when referrer is an organization
Example Sentence: I was referred to you through our mutual contact.
Best Use: Business emails
Worst Use: Casual talk
Tone: Professional
Context Variability: professional
8. Phrase: Someone suggested I reach out to you
Meaning: Casual recommendation
Explanation: Friendly phrasing
Example Sentence: Someone suggested I reach out to you regarding this role.
Best Use: Semi-formal emails
Worst Use: Legal writing
Tone: Friendly
Context Variability: casual / professional
9. Phrase: I was encouraged to contact you by
Meaning: Polite and positive
Explanation: Sounds respectful
Example Sentence: I was encouraged to contact you by my manager.
Best Use: Professional outreach
Worst Use: Casual speech
Tone: Polite
Context Variability: professional
10. Phrase: I was put in touch with you by
Meaning: Informal connection
Explanation: Common in spoken English
Example Sentence: I was put in touch with you by Ahmed.
Best Use: Conversations
Worst Use: Formal letters
Tone: Informal
Context Variability: casual
11. Phrase: I received your contact from
Meaning: Neutral information sharing
Explanation: Straightforward
Example Sentence: I received your contact from our HR team.
Best Use: Emails
Worst Use: Personal talk
Tone: Neutral
Context Variability: professional
12. Phrase: I came across your name through
Meaning: Indirect discovery
Explanation: Less formal
Example Sentence: I came across your name through a colleague.
Best Use: Networking
Worst Use: Formal notices
Tone: Neutral
Context Variability: casual / professional
13. Phrase: I was guided to you by
Meaning: Suggests authority
Explanation: Professional tone
Example Sentence: I was guided to you by the support team.
Best Use: Corporate communication
Worst Use: Casual chat
Tone: Professional
Context Variability: professional
14. Phrase: I was pointed in your direction by
Meaning: Informal recommendation
Explanation: Conversational
Example Sentence: I was pointed in your direction by a mutual friend.
Best Use: Spoken English
Worst Use: Formal writing
Tone: Informal
Context Variability: casual
15. Phrase: I was connected through
Meaning: Network-based referral
Explanation: Modern phrasing
Example Sentence: I was connected through LinkedIn.
Best Use: Networking
Worst Use: Legal documents
Tone: Neutral
Context Variability: professional
16. Phrase: I was referred by
Meaning: Shortened professional version
Explanation: Direct and clear
Example Sentence: I was referred by Mr. Hassan regarding this matter.
Best Use: Emails
Worst Use: Casual talk
Tone: Professional
Context Variability: professional
17. Phrase: I was introduced via
Meaning: Formal variation
Explanation: Polite and concise
Example Sentence: I was introduced via our shared contact.
Best Use: Professional emails
Worst Use: Casual messages
Tone: Professional
Context Variability: professional
18. Phrase: I learned about you through
Meaning: Discovery-based phrasing
Explanation: Neutral and flexible
Example Sentence: I learned about you through a colleague.
Best Use: Semi-formal outreach
Worst Use: Legal notices
Tone: Neutral
Context Variability: professional
19. Phrase: I was asked to reach out by
Meaning: Instruction-based
Explanation: Professional authority
Example Sentence: I was asked to reach out by the department head.
Best Use: Corporate communication
Worst Use: Casual use
Tone: Professional
Context Variability: professional
20. Phrase: I was recommended to contact you by
Meaning: Strong endorsement
Explanation: Builds trust
Example Sentence: I was recommended to contact you by Ms. Ali.
Best Use: Job-related emails
Worst Use: Casual chat
Tone: Professional
Context Variability: professional
21. Phrase: I was referred your way by
Meaning: Semi-informal
Explanation: Conversational but polite
Example Sentence: I was referred your way by a colleague.
Best Use: Semi-formal emails
Worst Use: Legal writing
Tone: Friendly-professional
Context Variability: casual / professional
22. Phrase: I obtained your details from
Meaning: Neutral and factual
Explanation: Direct phrasing
Example Sentence: I obtained your details from the company directory.
Best Use: Emails
Worst Use: Conversations
Tone: Neutral
Context Variability: professional
23. Phrase: I was informed about you by
Meaning: Formal and indirect
Explanation: Polite information sharing
Example Sentence: I was informed about you by my supervisor.
Best Use: Corporate emails
Worst Use: Casual chat
Tone: Formal
Context Variability: professional
24. Phrase: I was linked to you by
Meaning: Network-based phrasing
Explanation: Modern usage
Example Sentence: I was linked to you by a mutual contact.
Best Use: Networking
Worst Use: Formal documents
Tone: Neutral
Context Variability: professional
25. Phrase: I was advised to reach out by
Meaning: Suggestive and polite
Explanation: Respectful tone
Example Sentence: I was advised to reach out by our coordinator.
Best Use: Professional outreach
Worst Use: Casual speech
Tone: Polite
Context Variability: professional
26. Phrase: I was given your reference by
Meaning: Indicates formal referral
Explanation: Clear and professional
Example Sentence: I was given your reference by Mr. Ahmed.
Best Use: Business emails
Worst Use: Informal chat
Tone: Professional
Context Variability: professional
27. Phrase: I was connected on the recommendation of
Meaning: Formal endorsement
Explanation: Strong professional tone
Example Sentence: I was connected on the recommendation of my manager.
Best Use: Corporate outreach
Worst Use: Casual use
Tone: Formal
Context Variability: professional
28. Phrase: I was referred following a suggestion from
Meaning: Formal explanatory phrasing
Explanation: Suitable for written English
Example Sentence: I was referred following a suggestion from HR.
Best Use: Written communication
Worst Use: Spoken English
Tone: Formal
Context Variability: professional
29. Phrase: I was encouraged to reach out by
Meaning: Polite encouragement
Explanation: Positive tone
Example Sentence: I was encouraged to reach out by a colleague.
Best Use: Emails
Worst Use: Casual talk
Tone: Polite
Context Variability: professional
30. Phrase: I was contacted on the advice of
Meaning: Formal and traditional
Explanation: Conservative phrasing
Example Sentence: I was contacted on the advice of Mr. Khan.
Best Use: Formal letters
Worst Use: Casual speech
Tone: Formal
Context Variability: professional
“How you introduce yourself determines how seriously you’re taken.”
Comparison Table: Top Alternatives
| Phrase | Tone | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| I was introduced to you by | Professional | Business emails |
| I was recommended by | Professional | Job inquiries |
| I was advised to contact you by | Formal | Corporate emails |
| I was directed to you by | Professional | Workplace messages |
| I was connected with you by | Neutral | Networking |
| I was put in touch with you by | Informal | Conversations |
| Your name was given to me by | Neutral | Cold outreach |
| I was encouraged to contact you by | Polite | Professional emails |
| I learned about you through | Neutral | Semi-formal |
| I obtained your details from | Formal | Written English |
Mini Quiz: Self-Check
- Which phrase is most formal?
A. I was put in touch with you by
B. I was advised to contact you by
C. I heard about you through - Which phrase is best for a friendly message?
A. I was recommended by
B. I was introduced to you by
C. I was put in touch with you by - Choose the most professional opening for a job email.
FAQs
Is “I was referred to you by” professional?
Yes, it is widely accepted in professional English.
Can I use it in job applications?
Yes, especially when mentioning a credible referrer.
Is it polite to mention a referral?
Yes, it builds trust and context.
Should I always name the referrer?
Yes, if appropriate and with permission.
Why use alternatives?
To avoid repetition and match tone to context.
Conclusion
Learning other ways to say I was referred to you by strengthens professional introductions and improves clarity. The right phrasing creates credibility and confidence.
Practice using these alternatives and always tailor your introduction to your audience and situation.
See also:
- Other Ways to Say “Hope All Is Well”
- Professional English Email Writing Guide
James Anderson is a vocabulary-focused blogger at SynonymHub.com, providing clear and practical insights on synonyms and word meanings to help readers enhance their language skills and communicate more effectively.
