notify someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "notify someone" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to inform someone about something important or relevant. Example: "Please notify someone if you notice any issues." Alternative expressions include "inform someone" and "alert someone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Google+ does not notify someone that you have blocked him or her.

The New York Times

They have posted signs in their emergency rooms in English, Spanish, Chinese and, in some cases, Vietnamese, asking patients with fever, cough and a history of recent travel to Asia to notify someone immediately so they can be evaluated quickly or masked and isolated.

The New York Times

That would let Facebook notify someone they've been tagged, and make sure it shows your sweet snapshot to their friends too.

TechCrunch

Super Like lets you notify someone you really like that you're into them before they even swipe on you, marking your profile with a big blue star.

TechCrunch

Touting its ability to notify someone immediately that you bought them a present, Facebook is showing large banners atop the web and mobile news feed telling people to buy Gifts.

TechCrunch

You must notify someone.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Dancers must have signed in or notified someone of their presence by then.

The New York Times

But, according to Mr. Elbaum, someone eventually notified someone -- no one is sure who -- and the cow was picked up about a week ago and taken to Pier 39 in Brooklyn, where it awaits transport to an unidentified public school.

The New York Times

If the assigned engineer doesn't answer, PagerDuty will automatically escalate the issue by notifying someone else.

TechCrunch

This is a pretty clever way of notifying someone about an event without presuming that they're going with you.

TechCrunch

Dan Turner described his daughter as a dedicated mother who would not take off without notifying someone.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "notify someone", be specific about who needs to be notified and the method of notification (e.g., email, phone call). This ensures clarity and prompt action.

Common error

Avoid using passive constructions that obscure who is responsible for notifying. Instead of "Someone should be notified", write "Please "notify the manager" immediately".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "notify someone" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a transitive verb, indicating the act of informing a person about something. This can be seen in examples from Ludwig like, "You must notify someone" and "You may have to notify someone that the letter will be late."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "notify someone" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate informing a person about something important. Ludwig AI indicates that its usage spans from news and media to wikis and science. It is a neutral expression, suitable for a variety of contexts. While straightforward, it's important to be specific about who and how to notify to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "inform someone" or "alert someone", each with slightly different connotations. Based on the analysis, using active voice when constructing sentences with this phrase enhances clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inform someone

This alternative is a direct synonym, focusing on the act of conveying information.

let someone know

This is a more casual way of saying "notify someone", suitable for informal contexts.

alert someone

This suggests a sense of urgency or potential danger in the information being conveyed.

make someone aware

This emphasizes bringing something to someone's attention.

advise someone

This implies giving guidance or recommendations along with the information.

contact someone

This refers to the act of reaching out to someone to provide information.

apprise someone

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes providing detailed information.

reach out to someone

Similar to "contact someone", but suggests a more proactive effort to communicate.

get in touch with someone

This focuses on establishing contact, often to deliver information.

give someone a heads-up

This is an informal way of providing advance notice or warning.

FAQs

What does "notify someone" mean?

To "notify someone" means to inform them about something, usually something important or requiring attention. It implies making them aware of specific information.

How can I use "notify someone" in a sentence?

You can use "notify someone" in a sentence like, "If you see any suspicious activity, please "notify security" immediately".

Which is a more formal way to say "notify someone"?

A more formal way to say "notify someone" would be to say "inform someone" or "apprise someone" depending on the context and the level of detail you are conveying.

What's the difference between "notify someone" and "warn someone"?

"Notify someone" means to make them aware of something, while "warn someone" means to alert them to a potential danger or problem. A warning carries a sense of impending risk.