should have informed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should have informed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that someone failed to provide information that they were expected to share in the past. Example: "You should have informed me about the meeting changes earlier so I could adjust my schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Elsewhere on Capitol Hill, Senator Lindsey Graham, the Republican from South Carolina, pressed Christopher Wray, Trump's nominee to replace James Comey as the director of the F.B.I., to say that Trump, Jr., should have informed the F.B.I. that he'd been offered information from Russia.

The New Yorker

Who should have informed their customers of this tracking software and its capabilities, regardless of what information they intended to collect, or what was turned on or off by default?

TechCrunch

Did I think that I should have informed the parish and then not done it?

The New York Times

Zapatero defended the Spanish position but conceded his government should have informed the Americans first.

The Guardian

Judge Sullivan said the prosecutors should have informed defense lawyers of the check.

The New York Times

It should have informed the public about the infected doctor's movements, said Mr Park.

The Economist

He was on more fertile territory with that, because in a perfect world I should have informed him.

The Guardian

So going by the book, I should have informed my patient about the pros and cons of tobacco.

The New York Times - Health

If so, surely the police and/or the prosecutor should have informed the judge they had given such an assurance.

The Guardian

As leader, as soon as he found out that the law had been broken, he should have informed the police.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Should I have informed the waiter or, as I was not working, minded my own beeswax?

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To make the sentence more impactful, consider adding the consequences of not informing after the main clause to emphasize the importance of the missed communication.

Common error

Avoid using "should have informed" when the action of informing was impossible or not yet necessary at the time. This phrase implies a missed opportunity to communicate something that was relevant and available.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should have informed" functions as a modal verb construction expressing a past obligation or expectation that was not met. It indicates a sense of regret, criticism, or correction regarding the failure to provide information. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "should have informed" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate a past failure to communicate necessary information. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, and while generally neutral in tone, its formality can vary depending on the specific situation. When using this phrase, be sure to clearly identify the parties involved and the information that was not conveyed. Consider related phrases such as "ought to have notified" or "was supposed to tell" for slight variations in meaning or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should have notified

Emphasizes the act of giving notice, a more formal way of informing.

ought to have notified

Replaces 'should' with 'ought to', indicating a moral obligation, maintains similar meaning.

should have communicated

Replaces "informed" with a broader term implying general communication.

was supposed to tell

Uses a more informal tone, indicating an expectation or agreement to inform.

should have disclosed

Focuses on revealing information that was previously hidden or not readily available.

should have advised

Suggests giving counsel or guidance, a specific type of informing.

had a duty to notify

Emphasizes a formal obligation or responsibility to inform.

should have apprised

A more formal and less common synonym for informing, suggesting a detailed explanation.

were required to inform

Highlights a requirement or mandate to provide information.

needed to communicate

Focuses on the necessity of communication, broader than just informing.

FAQs

How is "should have informed" used in a sentence?

It indicates that someone failed to provide information that they were expected to share in the past. For example, "The company "should have informed" the public about the potential risks".

What's a more formal alternative to "should have informed"?

Alternatives such as "ought to have notified" or "had a duty to notify" carry a more formal tone, implying a stronger obligation.

What can I say instead of "should have informed" to sound less accusatory?

You can use phrases like "needed to communicate" or "should have communicated", which are less direct and focus on the need for communication rather than the failure to inform.

Is there a difference between "should have informed" and "should have told"?

While similar, "should have informed" often implies a more formal or official context where specific information was expected to be provided. "Should have told" can be more general and personal.