Inform vs. Notify

Attribute	Inform	Notify
Definition	To provide knowledge or information about something	To give notice or make someone aware of something
Intent	To educate, update, or clarify	To alert, warn, or announce
Recipient	Can be anyone who needs to know	Usually specific individuals or groups
Frequency	Can be continuous or periodic	Usually done on a need-to-know basis
Medium	Can be verbal, written, or visual	Often done through messages, alerts, or notifications

Definition

Inform and notify are two verbs that are often used interchangeably, but they have subtle differences in meaning. Inform typically means to give someone information or knowledge about something, while notify means to formally or officially tell someone about something. Inform is more general and can be used in a variety of contexts, while notify is more specific and often implies a formal communication.

Usage

Inform is commonly used in everyday conversation to share information with others. For example, you might inform a friend about a new restaurant opening in town or inform your boss about a project update. Notify, on the other hand, is often used in more formal settings, such as legal or official communications. For instance, you might notify someone of a legal decision or notify employees of a policy change in the workplace.

Intent

When you inform someone, your intent is simply to share information with them. You are not necessarily seeking a specific action or response from the person you are informing. On the other hand, when you notify someone, your intent is usually to make them aware of something important or to prompt a specific action or response. For example, you might notify someone of a meeting to ensure they attend, whereas informing them about the meeting is simply sharing the information.

Tone

The tone of inform is generally more neutral and informative. When you inform someone, you are simply providing them with information without any particular emphasis on urgency or importance. Notify, on the other hand, often carries a more formal or urgent tone. When you notify someone, you are typically conveying that the information you are sharing is important or requires their immediate attention.

Responsibility

Informing someone about something does not necessarily imply any responsibility on your part. You are simply sharing information with them, and what they do with that information is up to them. Notify, however, often implies a level of responsibility on the part of the person doing the notifying. For example, if you notify someone of a safety hazard, you are taking on the responsibility of ensuring they are aware of the danger and can take appropriate action.

Medium

Inform can be communicated through a variety of mediums, such as in person, over the phone, via email, or through written communication. The medium used to inform someone can vary depending on the context and the nature of the information being shared. Notify, on the other hand, is often done through more formal channels, such as official letters, notifications, or announcements. The medium used to notify someone is often dictated by the importance or formality of the information being shared.

Conclusion

While inform and notify are similar in that they both involve sharing information with others, they have distinct differences in meaning, usage, intent, tone, responsibility, and medium. Understanding these differences can help you choose the appropriate verb to use in different situations and ensure that your communication is clear and effective.