Cool MateInform vs Notify
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Inform
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Notify
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
| Inform | Notify | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈfɔːm/","/ɪnˈfɔːmz/","/ɪnˈfɔːmd/","/ɪnˈfɔːmɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈfɔːrm/","/ɪnˈfɔːrmz/","/ɪnˈfɔːrmd/","/ɪnˈfɔːrmɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈnəʊtɪfaɪ/","/ˈnəʊtɪfaɪz/","/ˈnəʊtɪfaɪd/","/ˈnəʊtɪfaɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈnəʊtɪfaɪ/","/ˈnəʊtɪfaɪz/","/ˈnəʊtɪfaɪd/","/ˈnəʊtɪfaɪɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To tell someone something important or give them information. | to tell someone about something |
| Example | Please inform me of any updates regarding the project timeline. | Competition winners will be notified by post. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | merely, simply, regularly, be pleased to, regret to, be required to, about, of | forthwith, immediately, promptly, be obliged to, be required to, must, of, to |
| Antonyms | conceal, withhold, hide | ignore, neglect, overlook |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'informant' — 'inform' is a verb, not a noun., Using 'inform' without an object — always say who you are informing., Misusing tenses — ensure correct form like 'informed' for the past. | Using 'notify' without an object (e.g., saying 'I will notify' instead of 'I will notify you')., Confusing 'notify' with 'inform' — while similar, 'notify' implies a more formal notification., Mixing up prepositions (e.g., saying 'notify with' instead of 'notify about') |
| Usage notes | Use 'inform' in formal contexts, like writing or business. Avoid in casual conversations where 'tell' is more appropriate. | Use 'notify' in situations where you are formally informing someone, like in business or official contexts. Avoid in casual conversations. |
Frequently asked questions: Inform vs Notify
What's the difference between Inform and Notify?
Inform: To tell someone something important or give them information. Notify: to tell someone about something
Are Inform and Notify the same CEFR level?
Inform: B2, Notify: C1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Inform and Notify interchangeably?
Not always. Inform and Notify are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.