Inform vs. Notify — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 29, 2024
Inform involves providing detailed information or insight, while notify is simply alerting someone to specific information or changes.
Difference Between Inform and Notify
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Inform generally implies a deeper level of detail and context is shared, enhancing understanding or knowledge. On the other hand, notify tends to be more about alerting or making someone aware of a fact or situation without necessarily providing extensive background or details.
When you inform someone, you might engage in a more comprehensive communication, often expecting a response or interaction. Whereas, to notify someone often means delivering the information in a straightforward, sometimes formal manner, with no expectation of a dialogue.
Inform can be used in various contexts, including educational, professional, and personal settings, depending on the depth of information required. On the other hand, notify is often used in official or formal communications, like notifications from institutions or updates on policy changes.
In terms of usage, "inform" is typically followed by a direct object and sometimes a prepositional phrase (e.g., inform someone of/about something). Notify is generally used with a direct object and often used with prepositions like "about" or "of".
The choice between inform and notify can also reflect the urgency of the message. Informing someone often conveys a sense of educating or explaining, whereas notifying might be used in scenarios requiring immediate attention or action.
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Comparison Chart
Connotation
In-depth information, educational
Brief alert, official
Expectation
Interaction, response
No response needed
Usage Context
Educational, personal, professional
Official, formal
Grammatical Usage
Often used with "of/about"
Often used with "about/of"
Urgency
Variable, less urgent
Often urgent
Compare with Definitions
Inform
To supply facts or data.
The scientist informed the committee of her findings.
Notify
To inform someone briefly about something.
Notify me when you arrive at the station.
Inform
To educate on a particular topic.
He informed the students about medieval history.
Notify
To announce officially.
The office will notify all employees about the policy changes.
Inform
To clarify or explain detailed information.
Please inform the team about the new procedures.
Notify
To formally alert someone of something.
Please notify the attendees of the meeting time.
Inform
To bring news to someone.
She promised to inform him of any developments.
Notify
To send a notice about an event or situation.
You must notify the company in writing.
Inform
To give knowledge to someone.
I will inform you about the changes in the schedule.
Notify
To give notice to someone.
Landlords must notify tenants about rent increases in advance.
Inform
Inform is a programming language and design system for interactive fiction originally created in 1993 by Graham Nelson. Inform can generate programs designed for the Z-code or Glulx virtual machines.
Notify
To give notice to; inform
Notified the citizens of the curfew by posting signs.
Inform
To impart information to; make aware of something
We were informed by mail of the change in plans. The nurse informed me that visiting hours were over.
Notify
Chiefly British To give notice of; make known.
Inform
To acquaint (oneself) with knowledge of a subject.
Notify
(transitive) To give (someone) notice (of some event).
The dispatcher immediately notified the volunteer fire department of the emergency call.
Once a decision has been reached and notified to the parties it becomes binding.
Inform
To give form or character to; imbue with a quality or an essence
"A society's strength is measured by ... its ability to inform a future generation with its moral standards" (Vanity Fair).
Notify
To make (something) known.
Inform
To be a formative or characterizing presence in; animate
"It is this brash, backroom sensibility that informs his work as a novelist" (Jeff Shear).
Notify
To make note of (something).
Inform
(Obsolete) To form (the mind or character) by teaching or training.
Notify
To make known; to declare; to publish; as, to notify a fact to a person.
No law can bind till it be notified or promulged.
Inform
To give or provide information.
Notify
To give notice to; to inform by notice; to apprise; as, the constable has notified the citizens to meet at the city hall; the bell notifies us of the time of meeting.
The President of the United States has notified the House of Representatives that he has approved and signed the act.
Inform
To disclose confidential or incriminating information to an authority
The defendant informed against the other members of the ring.
Notify
Give information or notice to;
I advised him that the rent was due
Inform
To instruct, train (usually in matters of knowledge).
Inform
(transitive) To communicate knowledge to.
Inform
(intransitive) To impart information or knowledge.
Inform
To act as an informer; denounce.
Inform
(transitive) To give form or character to; to inspire (with a given quality); to affect, influence (with a pervading principle, idea etc.).
His sense of religion informs everything he writes.
Inform
To make known, wisely and/or knowledgeably.
Inform
To direct, guide.
Inform
To take form; to become visible or manifest; to appear.
Inform
Without regular form; shapeless; ugly; deformed.
Inform
Without regular form; shapeless; ugly; deformed.
Inform
To give form or share to; to give vital or organizing power to; to give life to; to imbue and actuate with vitality; to animate; to mold; to figure; to fashion.
Let others better mold the running massOf metals, and inform the breathing brass.
Breath informs this fleeting frame.
Breathes in our soul, informs our mortal part.
Inform
To communicate knowledge to; to make known to; to acquaint; to advise; to instruct; to tell; to notify; to enlighten; - usually followed by of.
For he would learn their business secretly,And then inform his master hastily.
I am informed thoroughly of the cause.
Inform
To communicate a knowledge of facts to, by way of accusation; to warn against anybody.
Tertullus . . . informed the governor against Paul.
Inform
To take form; to become visible or manifest; to appear.
It is the bloody business which informsThus to mine eyes.
Inform
To give intelligence or information; to tell.
He might either teach in the same manner, or inform how he had been taught.
Inform
Impart knowledge of some fact, state or affairs, or event to;
I informed him of his rights
Inform
Give character or essence to;
The principles that inform modern teaching
Inform
Act as an informer;
She had informed on her own parents for years
Common Curiosities
What is the primary purpose of notifying someone?
The primary purpose of notifying is to quickly convey essential information or changes, often with little to no expectation for a response.
In what scenario might I choose to inform rather than notify?
You might choose to inform when the situation requires detailed explanation or when engaging the recipient in a dialogue is necessary.
What types of information are typically conveyed when someone is informed?
When someone is informed, the information typically includes context, background, and may require understanding or action.
Which verb is more likely to be used in an educational context, inform or notify?
Inform is more likely to be used in an educational context, as it implies providing comprehensive knowledge or instruction.
Is there a difference in formality between inform and notify?
Yes, notify is often more formal, used in official communications, while inform can be adapted to casual or formal tones depending on the context.
Which term would be appropriate for urgent safety warnings?
Notify would be more appropriate for urgent safety warnings due to its connotation of immediacy and formal alert.
What is the expected receiver's reaction to being informed versus being notified?
Being informed might prompt the receiver to ask questions or seek further clarification, while being notified typically doesn't expect a follow-up.
What implications does using notify have in digital communications like emails or SMS?
In digital communications, notify is often used to indicate automated alerts or reminders, and is seen as less personal than inform.
How do the implications of inform and notify differ in a legal context?
In a legal context, notify often refers to the requirement to formally announce or declare information, while inform can mean providing detailed legal advice or explanations.
What grammatical structures commonly follow inform and notify?
Inform is commonly followed by direct objects and prepositions like "of" or "about", whereas notify is also followed by these but is less likely to involve additional explanatory phrases.
Can notify be considered less interactive than inform?
Yes, notifying is generally less interactive as it usually doesn't involve an extensive exchange of information or a dialogue.
Can both inform and notify be used in a business setting?
Yes, both can be used in business settings; inform for detailed briefings or reports, and notify for quick updates or alerts.
Are there cultural differences in how inform and notify are perceived?
Cultural differences might affect the perception, where in some cultures, the formality of notify could be seen as more respectful, while others might prefer the detailed communication of inform.
How does the urgency affect the choice between inform and notify?
Urgency tends to lean towards notify due to its association with quick, timely alerts, whereas inform is used when there's more time to elaborate.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
