Notify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Notify" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to inform someone about something or alert them to a specific situation. Example: "Please notify me when the package arrives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Federal police will gain the power to secretly search a terrorism suspect's home, enter through an innocent neighbour's property and impersonate people, without having to notify the subjects of the warrant for six months or more.

The Guardian

The government has committed to a six-week consultation period and will need to notify the EU of the draft regulations – a process which can take up to six months.

The Guardian

The Guardian has interviewed nine people who have told strikingly consistent stories about police holding them in Homan Square for hours without providing any way to notify their families or their lawyers as to where they are.

The Guardian

Boddice issued guidelines to registry staff in case any election dispute was filed, including that they "immediately notify" his associate.

The Guardian

Last week Hockey unveiled new fees and regulations to enforce the laws around foreign ownership of homes The property was purchased illegally in November last year by Golden Fast Foods, a foreign company which failed to notify the Foreign Investment Review Board of its intended purchase.

The Guardian

A spokesman said the bonus policies were reviewed every three years and the last review has taken place in 2007 when a decision was taken to notify staff of their bonuses in January each year.

The Guardian - Business

New migrants will have to notify any change of address or change of marital status.

The Guardian

Regulators intend to measure emissions of the facilities to which they issue operating permits and notify those which need to issue warnings, hold public meetings and cut emissions.

The Guardian

They were also fined £75,000 for failing to notify the FA of the agreement before the player was registered to play in England in 2009.

The Guardian - Sport

"Given that the risks of the breach are considered very low and the actions that have been taken to limit the further distribution of the email, I do not consider it necessary to notify the clients of the breach," she wrote.

The Guardian

"I'm sorry it's taken so long to notify you," she said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "notify" when you want to formally or officially inform someone of something, especially when a specific procedure or requirement exists for doing so. For instance, "Please notify the authorities immediately".

Common error

Avoid using "notify" in overly casual contexts where simpler words like "tell" or "let know" would be more appropriate. "Notify" often implies a level of formality that might seem out of place in informal conversations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "notify" is as a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. As Ludwig suggests, it indicates the act of informing someone of something, often in a formal or official context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "notify" is a versatile verb primarily used to formally inform someone of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts, including news, business, and scientific domains. While often interchangeable with synonyms like "inform", "advise", and "apprise", "notify" carries a slightly more formal tone. When using "notify", be mindful of the context and ensure the level of formality aligns with the intended audience and purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Inform

A direct synonym, emphasizing the act of conveying information.

Advise

Suggests giving counsel or a recommendation in addition to conveying information.

Apprise

A more formal synonym for informing someone of something.

Alert

Emphasizes warning someone about a potential danger or problem.

Give notice

Implies a formal or official communication.

Make aware

Focuses on bringing something to someone's attention.

Keep updated

Suggests providing ongoing information about a situation.

Let know

A more informal way of saying inform.

Communicate

A broad term for conveying information, which may be indirect.

Report

Suggests a formal and structured delivery of information.

FAQs

How can I use "Notify" in a sentence?

You can use "Notify" to indicate the act of informing someone about something important, such as "Please notify me as soon as you receive the package" or "Employees must notify their supervisor of any safety concerns".

What are some alternatives to "Notify"?

You can use alternatives like "inform", "advise", or "apprise" depending on the context and level of formality required.

Is there a difference between "Notify" and "Inform"?

While both "notify" and "inform" mean to give someone information, "notify" often implies a more formal or official communication, whereas "inform" is a more general term.

When is it appropriate to use "Notify" instead of "Tell"?

Use "notify" when the communication is formal, official, or requires a specific procedure. For example, you might "notify" the authorities or your employer, whereas you would "tell" a friend or family member.