What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
inform
Example
I need to inform my boss about the progress of the project. [inform: verb]
Example
The teacher informed the students about the upcoming exam. [informed: past tense]
notify
Example
The company will notify the employees about the new policy. [notify: verb]
Example
The airline notified the passengers about the flight delay. [notified: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Inform is more commonly used than notify in everyday language. Inform is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while notify is more specific and often used in formal or legal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between inform and notify?
Notify is generally considered more formal than inform and is often used in official or legal contexts. However, both words can be used in formal or informal settings depending on the context.
