inform by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inform by" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward in certain contexts.
It can be used when specifying the method or medium through which information is conveyed, but it is often clearer to use more standard phrases. Example: "Please inform by email about the changes to the schedule."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

They inform by participating.

The New York Times - Magazine

Peter Post, a great-grandson of Emily Post and the author of "Essential Manners for Couples," (Collins, 2005) said, "It's certainly nicer to inform by talking face to face" or by using the telephone.

The New York Times

And like "Wozzeck", "Lulu" confirms Alban Berg not as a composer of any school, style or period, but as a classic, able to move and inform by the abiding power of his achievement.

The Economist

While receiving this list, the director of professional services can inform by warning all doctors of the list that their privileges are automatically suspended until they complete their late folders.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

Answering these questions requires further modeling that our results could inform by providing transition probabilities from nonreferable to referable retinopathy.

Diabetes Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Campbell Robertson makes some predictions, informed by a highly informal poll.

The New York Times

I am informed by it.

The New Yorker

Was it all informed by drinking?

The Guardian - Music

Your disavowal is informed by a misunderstanding.

The Guardian - Opinion

Students were informed by a text alert.

The New York Times

His impulses are informed by worldly intelligence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "inform by" with stronger and more precise verbs like "notify via" or "advise through" to improve clarity and conciseness.

Common error

Avoid using "inform by" in overly formal or professional writing where more direct alternatives such as "notify", "communicate" or "report" would be more appropriate. Using "inform by" can sometimes sound passive or indirect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inform by" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, specifying the means or method of communication. It indicates how the information is conveyed, adding detail to the act of informing. Ludwig AI reports that it is not as common as other similar phrases.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "inform by" is a prepositional phrase used to specify the method of communication. While grammatically acceptable, it is not a very common construction and can often be replaced with clearer and more direct alternatives such as "notify via" or "communicate through". Ludwig AI reports this phrase is not commonly used. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. When using "inform by", consider whether specifying the method is truly necessary and if a more concise alternative would improve clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

notify via

Focuses on the method of communication, rather than the act of informing itself; more direct.

communicate through

Emphasizes the channel used to transmit information; slightly more formal.

advise through

Highlights guidance or counsel given during the information exchange; implies expertise.

announce via

Implies a public or official declaration; broader audience scope.

report through

Suggests a structured relay of information, often upwards in a hierarchy.

disclose using

Highlights the reveal of previously unknown information.

reveal by means of

Focuses on the method used to uncover or expose the information.

apprise via

More formal and emphasizes the notification of something.

update through

Emphasizes providing the latest information.

tell through

A more casual way to indicate how information is conveyed.

FAQs

How can I use "inform by" in a sentence?

While "inform by" is grammatically correct, it can sound awkward. Use it to specify the means of communication, like "Please "notify via" email" instead of just "inform".

What's a more common way to say "inform by"?

Alternatives like "communicate through", "notify via", or "advise through" are generally clearer and more frequently used.

Is it better to say "informed by" or "informed with"?

"Informed by" is the correct and idiomatic choice. "Informed with" is not standard English. For example, "His decision was "informed by" data", not "informed with data".

When is it appropriate to use "inform by"?

It's best used when the method of informing is significant. For example, "We will "inform by" letter" emphasizes the postal method over other options. Consider if specifying the method is truly necessary.