notify

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "notify" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to inform someone of something, or communicate with them in an official capacity. For example: "Please notify me if your availability changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Federal police will gain the power to secretly search a terrorism suspect's home, enter through an innocent neighbour's property and impersonate people, without having to notify the subjects of the warrant for six months or more.

The Guardian

The government has committed to a six-week consultation period and will need to notify the EU of the draft regulations – a process which can take up to six months.

The Guardian

The Guardian has interviewed nine people who have told strikingly consistent stories about police holding them in Homan Square for hours without providing any way to notify their families or their lawyers as to where they are.

The Guardian

Boddice issued guidelines to registry staff in case any election dispute was filed, including that they "immediately notify" his associate.

The Guardian

Last week Hockey unveiled new fees and regulations to enforce the laws around foreign ownership of homes The property was purchased illegally in November last year by Golden Fast Foods, a foreign company which failed to notify the Foreign Investment Review Board of its intended purchase.

The Guardian

A spokesman said the bonus policies were reviewed every three years and the last review has taken place in 2007 when a decision was taken to notify staff of their bonuses in January each year.

The Guardian - Business

New migrants will have to notify any change of address or change of marital status.

The Guardian

Regulators intend to measure emissions of the facilities to which they issue operating permits and notify those which need to issue warnings, hold public meetings and cut emissions.

The Guardian

They were also fined £75,000 for failing to notify the FA of the agreement before the player was registered to play in England in 2009.

The Guardian - Sport

"Given that the risks of the breach are considered very low and the actions that have been taken to limit the further distribution of the email, I do not consider it necessary to notify the clients of the breach," she wrote.

The Guardian

"I'm sorry it's taken so long to notify you," she said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "notify" in formal writing, ensure that you clearly state who is being notified and what they are being notified about. This adds clarity and precision to your message.

Common error

Avoid using "notify" in passive constructions where the actor is unclear. Instead of "The team will be notified", specify who will do the notifying: "The manager will notify the team".

Linguistic Context

The verb "notify" functions primarily as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object to complete its meaning. It indicates the act of informing someone about something, as evidenced by Ludwig and its examples, such as "notify the subjects of the warrant" or "notify the FA of the agreement".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

24%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "notify" is a common and versatile term used to describe the act of informing someone, often in a formal or official context. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It appears frequently in news and media, as well as in formal and business settings. When writing, it's important to use "notify" actively, specifying who is being notified and what they are being notified about, and to choose the appropriate alternative, such as "inform" or "advise", depending on the context. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use the word "notify" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Inform someone

This alternative is a more general term for conveying information.

Advise someone

This implies giving counsel or recommendations, in addition to conveying information.

Alert someone

This suggests warning someone of potential danger or a problem.

Apprise someone

This is a more formal and less common way of saying "inform".

Give notice to someone

This phrase is often used in legal or official contexts.

Let someone know

This is a more casual way of saying "inform" or "notify".

Communicate to someone

This focuses on the act of conveying information effectively.

Make someone aware

This highlights bringing something to someone's attention.

Tell someone

This is the simplest and most direct way of conveying information.

Keep someone informed

This implies a continuous flow of information.

FAQs

How can I use "notify" in a sentence?

You can use "notify" to indicate informing someone of something, for example, "Please notify us of any changes" or "The system will notify you when the process is complete".

What's a more formal alternative to "notify"?

A more formal alternative to "notify" is "apprise", which conveys a similar meaning but is typically used in more official or sophisticated contexts.

Is it correct to say "notified to"?

While grammatically possible in certain contexts, it's often more direct and clearer to say "notified of". For example, "He was notified of the meeting" is preferable to "He was notified to attend the meeting".

What's the difference between "inform" and "notify"?

Both "inform" and "notify" mean to give information, but "notify" often implies giving official or formal notice. You might "let someone know" informally, but you notify them officially.