inform the customer

USAGE SUMMARY

"inform the customer" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when referring to providing someone with relevant information. For example: "We will inform the customer of any changes to their order."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Make sure you spend time clarifying this aspect of your business and promoting it, through brochures, online information, logos, and explanatory material on the products themselves, to inform the customer.

WikiHow

Her bank branch recommended that she buy fraud protection services from LifeLock, one of more than 20 competing firms, which typically charge a monthly fee to monitor a customer's credit ratings, bank accounts and credit cards and to inform the customer of suspicious activity.

The New York Times

It can inform the customer that the system is down and that you are taking steps to fix the problem.

TechCrunch

When the syntax is correct in a query, the UI will inform the customer how much the query would cost to run.

TechCrunch

I hear an organizer inform the customer that the rally is, in fact, to support the people working at Walmart.

Huffington Post

When a critical communication on an account closure is left to snail mail, and that mail is never received, the assumption that the bank has done all it can reasonably do to inform the customer is just slack.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Although the MLA Code requires the MLA companies and their clients to inform the customers about the collection and usage of MLA data, it sets an exception for the data are not unique to individual or device.

University of California, Berkeley

If the carrier detects a high amount of video- or game-related activity, it can inform the customers of an option to sign up for a special data plan that suits their patterns of use, Mr. Aalbers said.

The New York Times

The restitution is to cover the costs of a direct mailing to inform the customers of the security breach.

Huffington Post

It is clearly not OK to block or degrade lawful services by stealth, without informing the customer.

MIT Technology Review

If not, and if the bank informed the customer in advance about the 60-day deadline, the bank has no liability.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always double-check the accuracy of the information before you "inform the customer" to maintain credibility and trust.

Common error

Avoid using passive constructions like "the customer was informed" without specifying who did the informing, as it can create ambiguity and dilute responsibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inform the customer" functions as a directive verb phrase, indicating an action to be performed. It is typically used to instruct or describe the act of providing knowledge or details to a customer.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Academia

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inform the customer" is a grammatically correct and understandable directive. It is used to tell someone to provide a customer with information. While the AI deems it a correct phrase, it is not particularly common, appearing most frequently in news and media contexts. For more formal situations, alternatives like "notify the client" may be preferable. When employing this phrase, ensure the information you provide is clear, accurate, and tailored to the customer's needs. It's also recommended to specify who is informing the customer to avoid any ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

notify the client

Replaces "customer" with "client", suggesting a more formal or professional relationship.

keep the customer informed

Emphasizes a continuous process of providing information over time.

advise the customer

Implies giving guidance or recommendations, adding a layer of support beyond simple information delivery.

update the customer

Focuses on providing new or changed information, implying a previous interaction.

explain to the customer

Implies providing a rationale or justification, not just facts.

let the customer know

A more informal way of saying "inform", suitable for casual contexts.

apprise the customer of

A more formal and less common synonym for "inform".

tell the customer

A very direct and neutral alternative.

enlighten the customer

Suggests revealing information that the customer may not already know.

communicate to the customer

Focuses on the act of communicating, which could involve more than just providing information.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "inform the customer"?

You can use alternatives like "notify the client", "advise the customer", or "update the customer" depending on the specific context.

Is it okay to say "inform the customer" in a formal setting?

Yes, "inform the customer" is generally acceptable in formal settings. However, for heightened formality, consider alternatives such as "apprise the customer of" or "notify the client".

How is "inform the customer" different from "explain to the customer"?

"Inform the customer" generally means providing factual information. "Explain to the customer" suggests providing reasoning or clarification to help them understand something.

What is the best way to "inform the customer" about a problem?

The best approach is to be prompt, transparent, and empathetic. Provide clear details about the problem, explain the steps being taken to resolve it, and offer a point of contact for further assistance. Focus on "keeping the customer informed" throughout the process.