Cool MateNotify vs Tell
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Notify
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Tell
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Most common: Tell
| Notify | Tell | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈnəʊtɪfaɪ/","/ˈnəʊtɪfaɪz/","/ˈnəʊtɪfaɪd/","/ˈnəʊtɪfaɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈnəʊtɪfaɪ/","/ˈnəʊtɪfaɪz/","/ˈnəʊtɪfaɪd/","/ˈnəʊtɪfaɪɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/tel/","/telz/","/təʊld/","/ˈtelɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/tel/","/telz/","/təʊld/","/ˈtelɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | to tell someone about something | to say information to someone |
| Example | Competition winners will be notified by post. | I want to tell you a secret. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | A1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | forthwith, immediately, promptly, be obliged to, be required to, must, of, to | bluntly, curtly, flatly, want to, be going to, try to, about, of, to, firmly, sternly |
| Antonyms | ignore, neglect, overlook | hide, withhold, suppress |
| Common mistakes | 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') | Saying 'tell to' instead of just 'tell'., Using 'tell' without a direct object., Confusing 'tell' with 'say' in contexts where direction is implied. |
| Usage notes | Use 'notify' in situations where you are formally informing someone, like in business or official contexts. Avoid in casual conversations. | Use 'tell' when you inform someone about something. It's neutral and suitable for most contexts. Avoid using it in overly formal writing; instead, use 'inform' or 'notify'. |
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Frequently asked questions: Notify vs Tell
What's the difference between Notify and Tell?
Notify: to tell someone about something Tell: to say information to someone
Which is more common: Notify and Tell?
Tell is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Notify and Tell?
Notify is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Notify and Tell the same CEFR level?
Notify: C1, Tell: A1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Notify and Tell?
Notify: verb, Tell: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Notify: Competition winners will be notified by post. Tell: I want to tell you a secret.
Can I use Notify and Tell interchangeably?
Not always. Notify and Tell 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.