let them know about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "let them know about" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to inform someone about a specific topic or piece of information. Example: "Please let them know about the meeting time." Alternative expressions include "inform them about" and "notify them of."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Our aim was to provide junior obstetricians with information that will allow them to select the best instrument and to let them know about experimental as well as pedagogic forceps.

Gynécologie Obstétrique & Fertilité

Let them know about the way you come around here," she sang.

The New Yorker

We invited community members to join us and let them know about the memorial.

Yale University

I've responded and let them know about the two projects that I'm most interested in.

Stanford University

Pat Howard, CA's high-performance boss, was furious and let them know about it.

The Guardian - Sport

"When I see stupid moves I let them know about it".

The New York Times

"It's very hard to let them know about a change in design".

The New York Times

There is a far easier way of impressing the bosses: let them know about your achievements.

The Guardian

On Wednesday night, they protesters held an online chat with incoming freshmen to let them know about recent events.

The New York Times

We have a mailing list for postdocs in your laboratories, to let them know about events and seminars.

University of California, Berkeley

Let them know about major developments in your industry.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the recipient's expectations. If the information is critical or legal, consider swapping for a more precise verb like 'notify' or 'advise'.

Common error

Avoid following the phrase with redundant prepositions or unclear objects. A common mistake is saying 'let them know about of the problem', which incorrectly stacks prepositions. Ensure the object after 'about' is a clear noun or noun phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "let them know about" functions as a transitive multi-word verb construction. It combines the causative verb 'let' with the bare infinitive 'know' and the preposition 'about' to indicate the transmission of information. According to Ludwig AI analysis, it is frequently used to initiate a flow of communication between a primary actor and a group of recipients.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

40%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

1.5%

Social Media

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "let them know about" is an essential and highly effective phrase for any English writer. Its widespread presence in elite publications like The New York Times and The Guardian confirms its status as a reliable tool for clear communication. Ludwig data shows that it is particularly prevalent in instructional and reportage contexts, serving as a catalyst for sharing news, updates, or concerns. While broadly applicable, savvy writers can enhance their prose by occasionally substituting it with more specific alternatives like "<a href="/s/apprise+them+of" target="_blank" rel="alternative">apprise them of" for extreme formality or "<a href="/s/brief+them+on" target="_blank" rel="alternative">brief them on" for targeted workplace updates. Overall, it remains a cornerstone of natural English interaction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inform them of

Shifts the tone to a more formal and professional register

notify them about

Implies a more official or systematic announcement

update them on

Suggests providing the latest progress or changes in status

brief them on

Specifies a concise summary of facts or project details

fill them in on

A more informal way to provide missing details or background

advise them of

Often implies providing professional guidance or formal notification

apprise them of

A sophisticated, highly formal variant often used in legal or diplomatic contexts

keep them posted on

Focuses on the continuous or ongoing nature of the information

alert them to

Suggests an element of urgency or warning about a situation

give them word of

A more narrative or slightly dated idiomatic expression

FAQs

How do I use "let them know about" in a formal email?

In formal correspondence, you might replace it with "<a href="/s/inform+them+of" target="_blank" rel="alternative">inform them of" or "<a href="/s/notify+them+about" target="_blank" rel="alternative">notify them about" to sound more professional.

Is "let them know about" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is a perfectly correct and common idiomatic construction in English used to describe the act of sharing information with a third party.

What can I say instead of "let them know about" to show progress?

If you are talking about ongoing developments, use "<a href="/s/update+them+on" target="_blank" rel="alternative">update them on" or "<a href="/s/keep+them+posted+on" target="_blank" rel="alternative">keep them posted on".

Can I use "let them know about" in academic writing?

While it is used in academic journals, as seen in Ludwig examples from Yale and Stanford, it is often more effective to use more specific verbs like "elucidate" or "demonstrate" depending on the context.