What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
notify
Example
The company will notify all employees of the new policy changes. [notify: verb]
Example
The airline will notify passengers of any flight delays. [notify: verb]
Example
Please notify me if there are any changes to the meeting time. [notify: verb]
tell
Example
Can you tell me what happened at the meeting? [tell: verb]
Example
She told me about her trip to Europe. [told: past tense]
Example
He told his students to study for the upcoming exam. [told: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Tell is more commonly used than notify in everyday language. Tell is a common verb that can be used in various contexts, while notify is less common and is typically used in more formal or official settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between notify and tell?
Notify is more formal than tell and is often used in official or business settings. However, tell can be used in both formal and informal contexts, making it a more versatile verb overall.
