notify authorities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "notify authorities" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you need to inform law enforcement or relevant officials about a situation or incident. For example, "If you witness a crime, you should notify authorities immediately." Alternative expressions include "alert officials" and "inform the police."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

He is accused of failing to notify authorities of plans to lay off staff.

Independent

David Forsey is charged with failing to notify authorities of plans to lay off warehouse staff in Scotland.

Independent

It was the cardinal's obligation under the primacy of secular law to instantly notify authorities of any priest's criminal behavior.

The New York Times

Failure to notify authorities about child abuse is punishable by up to a year in prison and possibly a fine.

The New York Times

Mr. Klicka added that the only regulation hefound "reasonable" was that families notify authorities of their plans tohome school.

The New York Times

Airlines are already expected, for instance, to notify authorities if a passenger has exhibited Sars-like symptoms on flights.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

If you do not have time to take charge, try to notify authority or make sure someone else takes charge.

WikiHow

The captain notified authorities on the Cocos Island national park.

The Guardian

From a neighbor's house, they notified authorities and were evacuated by raft, Mr. Tadrose said.

The New York Times

Hiener notified authorities, who eventually sent a helicopter that took Gardner to a hospital in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

The New York Times - Sports

The suspect entered the restaurant and pointed a gun at a restaurant employee, who fled and notified authorities, police said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "notify authorities", ensure the context clearly indicates which authorities are being notified (e.g., police, health officials, regulatory agencies).

Common error

Avoid using "notify authorities" without specifying which authorities are relevant to the situation. Be precise for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "notify authorities" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the action of informing the relevant governing bodies. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which shows numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

11%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "notify authorities" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of informing relevant official bodies about a particular situation or incident. Ludwig AI analysis reveals that it is most frequently used in news and media contexts, with a neutral register. While "notify authorities" is generally acceptable, it's important to specify which authorities are being notified for clarity. Alternatives include "inform the authorities" and "alert the authorities". The phrase's prevalence in varied sources validates its appropriateness for a wide range of communicative purposes when needing to report information that necessitates an official action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inform the authorities

Replaces "notify" with the more common "inform", maintaining the same meaning.

alert the authorities

Uses "alert" to emphasize the urgency of the notification.

contact the authorities

Focuses on establishing communication with the authorities.

report to the authorities

Emphasizes the act of making an official report.

get in touch with the authorities

Similar to "contact", but slightly more informal.

make a report to the authorities

Highlights the creation of a formal report.

let the authorities know

An informal way of saying "notify authorities".

advise the relevant bodies

More formal and general, suitable for professional contexts.

make authorities aware

Focuses on raising the authorities' awareness of a situation.

apprise the authorities

A more formal and less common alternative to "notify".

FAQs

What does "notify authorities" mean?

The phrase "notify authorities" means to inform the relevant official bodies, such as the police or other government agencies, about a specific incident or situation.

When should I "notify authorities"?

You should "notify authorities" when you witness a crime, suspect illegal activity, or encounter any situation that requires official intervention or investigation. For example, "report to the authorities" any suspicious behavior.

What are some alternatives to "notify authorities"?

Alternatives include "inform the authorities", "alert the authorities", or "report to the authorities". The best choice depends on the specific context and level of formality required.

What happens after I "notify authorities"?

After you "notify authorities", they will typically investigate the situation and take appropriate action, which may include gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and potentially pursuing legal charges.