inform someone about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inform someone about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to convey information or details to someone regarding a specific topic or subject. Example: "I will inform you about the changes in the schedule as soon as I receive the updates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But while Collins had no issue with Pagan having to leave a game because of illness, he said he was annoyed that he did not make a greater effort to inform someone about his whereabouts.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

For instance, it was argued that the act of perceiving a state of affairs and the act of meaning it with a linguistic expression are not of the same genus and that both acts are further distinct from informing someone about this state of affairs or from enjoying it.

SEP

(Arpaio claims that he did inform someone at Mesa police headquarters about the raid).

The New Yorker

Read up on the latest news and keep yourself informed on important topics, so you will always have something relevant to talk about or inform someone new.

WikiHow

First, inform someone where you are going.

WikiHow

Regarding clinical information, approximately 40% of the athletes had been informed by someone about "snoring loudly" and/or "leg twitching or jerking during sleep" (Table 4).

Sports Medicine - Open

Forty percent of the athletes had been informed by someone about "snoring loudly" and/or "leg twitching or jerking during sleep".

Sports Medicine - Open

Forty percent of athletes reported they had been informed by someone about "snoring loudly" and/or "leg twitching or jerking during sleep".

Sports Medicine - Open

Although the logistic regression analysis did not reveal a significant association with sleep quality, 40% of the athletes had been informed by someone about "snoring loudly" and/or "leg twitching or jerking during sleep" (Table 5).

Sports Medicine - Open

Forty percent of athletes reported they had been informed by someone about "snoring loudly" and/or "leg twitching or jerking during sleep," which would suggest that sleep quality would be poor; however, this finding was not significantly associated with poor sleep quality on the PSQI global score.

Sports Medicine - Open

Inform someone.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inform someone about", ensure the information you are conveying is accurate and relevant to the person receiving it. Consider the context and adjust your language accordingly.

Common error

While "inform" is a perfectly valid word, avoid overusing it in casual conversations. Consider using alternatives like "tell" or "let know" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inform someone about" functions as a verb phrase, where "inform" is the verb, "someone" is the direct object, and "about" introduces the subject matter being communicated. This construction, according to Ludwig, is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inform someone about" is a grammatically sound and versatile construction for conveying information, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's prevalent across various contexts, from news reports to scientific publications. While often used in formal settings, it can also appear in more casual conversations. When using this phrase, remember to ensure the information is accurate and relevant, and to consider alternative phrasings like "notify someone regarding" or "tell someone about" depending on the context and desired level of formality. Understanding the subtle nuances can enhance your communication and make your writing more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

notify someone regarding

Replaces "inform" with "notify" and "about" with "regarding", indicating a slightly more formal tone.

update someone on

Implies providing the latest information on a particular topic.

advise someone concerning

Substitutes "inform" with "advise" and "about" with "concerning", suggesting a more professional context.

brief someone on

Suggests providing concise information, often in a professional setting.

tell someone about

Uses the more common and informal verb "tell" instead of "inform".

make someone aware of

Focuses on the act of alerting someone to a fact or situation.

let someone know about

Emphasizes the act of making someone aware, with a less formal tone.

fill someone in on

An informal way of saying to provide all the necessary details.

apprise someone of

Replaces "inform about" with the more formal "apprise of".

clue someone in about

A more colloquial way to say to give someone a hint or a secret about something.

FAQs

How can I use "inform someone about" in a sentence?

You can use "inform someone about" to indicate that you are conveying information to someone regarding a specific topic. For example, "I need to inform my manager about the project's progress".

What are some alternatives to "inform someone about"?

Alternatives include "notify someone regarding", "tell someone about", or "let someone know about", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "inform someone of" grammatically correct instead of "inform someone about"?

Yes, "inform someone of" is also grammatically correct. For example, "Please inform the client of the meeting's rescheduling".

What is the difference between "inform someone about" and "advise someone on"?

"Inform someone about" generally means conveying facts or details, while "advise someone on" suggests offering guidance or recommendations. For instance, "I can inform you about the company's policies" versus "I can advise you on the best course of action".