inform him

USAGE SUMMARY

"inform him" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are providing someone with information, instructions, or advice. For example: You should inform him of the new policy changes.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They could inform him differently later.

The New York Times

"The chain cost seven thousand dollars," I inform him.

The New Yorker

"I have experience with pickling," I inform him.

The New Yorker

They inform him that it is not customary to give out hotel rooms by the nap.

The New Yorker

Mr. Obama also called Prime Minister Najib Razak of Malaysia to inform him of the decision.

The New York Times

Rather, their concern was to inform him of the enormous difficulties that lay ahead.

The New Yorker

Many in the audience, Frances would inform him later, laughed until they wept.

The New Yorker

When Davis called to inform him about the merger talks, Dye said, "That makes no sense.

The New Yorker

Woods rang Peter Dawson, the Royal and Ancient's chief executive, to inform him of the news.

Independent

Finally, the antibalaka leaders summoned Father Bernard to inform him of a change of policy.

The New Yorker

At the appointed hour, someone would call Dufresne to inform him that the restaurant was flooded.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inform him", consider the context and choose a more specific verb if precision is needed. For example, use "notify" for formal announcements or "advise" for giving counsel.

Common error

Avoid using "inform him" in very casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "tell him" or "let him know" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inform him" functions as a transitive verb phrase, where "inform" is the verb and "him" is the direct object. It signifies the act of conveying information to someone. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Wiki

31%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inform him" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the act of conveying information to someone. As Ludwig highlights, it appears frequently in diverse contexts, including News & Media, Wiki, and Science, suggesting a broad applicability. While generally neutral in tone, considering context to ensure appropriatness is key; simpler alternatives like "tell him" may be suitable in informal settings. Ultimately, "inform him" serves as a versatile option for clearly communicating details, updates, or instructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

notify him

Focuses on a formal or official way of conveying information.

advise him

Implies giving counsel or recommendations, not just facts.

tell him

A more general and informal way of conveying information.

let him know

A common and slightly less formal way to communicate something.

apprise him

Indicates a formal and detailed communication of information.

update him

Suggests providing the latest information on a topic.

enlighten him

Suggests providing deeper understanding or insight.

brief him

Implies a concise and to-the-point communication.

fill him in

An informal way of providing missing information.

get in touch with him

Emphasis on the act of connecting to communicate information.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "inform him"?

You can use alternatives like "notify him", "tell him", or "let him know" depending on the context.

Is "inform him" formal or informal?

"Inform him" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. Simpler phrases like "tell him" are more informal.

How to use "inform him" in a sentence?

You can use "inform him" in a sentence like this: "I need to inform him about the changes to the project deadline."

What's the difference between "inform him" and "advise him"?

"Inform him" means to give information, while "advise him" means to offer suggestions or recommendations.