informin‧form /ɪnˈfɔːm $ -ɔːrm/ ●●○ S3 W3 verb [transitive] formal 
Word Origin Examples
They decided to inform the policeinform somebody about/of something Please inform us of any change of address as soon as possible.inform somebody (that) We regret to inform you that your application has been rejected.► see thesaurus at tell2formal to influence someone’s attitude or opinion: Her experience as a refugee informs the content of her latest novel.inform on/against somebody phrasal verb to tell the police or an enemy information about someone that will harm them: He denied that he had ever informed on his neighbours.
Word OriginWORD ORIGINinform
Verb TableOrigin:
1300-1400 Old French enformer, from Latin informare ‘to give shape to’, from forma; ➔ FORM1VERB TABLE
inform
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | inform |
| he, she, it | informs | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | informed |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have informed |
| he, she, it | has informed | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had informed |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will inform |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have informed |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am informing |
| he, she, it | is informing | |
| you, we, they | are informing | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was informing |
| you, we, they | were informing | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been informing |
| he, she, it | has been informing | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been informing |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be informing |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been informing |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
Thesaurus- Do you think we ought to inform the police?
- Doctors should inform patients about the possible side effects of any drugs they prescribe.
- Her style is informed by the writings of Kafka, Artaud, and Beckett.
- I am sorry to inform you that your application has been unsuccessful.
- You should inform your bank of any change of address.
THESAURUSto officially tell someone► inform
Collocations to officially tell someone about something: · Do you think we ought to inform the police?· Doctors should inform patients about the possible side effects of any drugs they prescribe.
► announce to tell people publicly and officially about something: · The university chancellor announced his resignation on Friday.· It was announced that the company had made a profit of $6 billion.
► report to officially tell someone about something that has happened: · She was able to report that the project was nearly finished.
► notify formal to tell someone officially about something that has happened or that is planned to happen: · Staff were notified several months in advance that they would be losing their jobs.
Longman Language Activatorto give someone information by speaking or writing to them► tell · If you'd told me earlier I might have been able to do something about it.tell somebody something · I want you to tell me all the details.· Who on earth told you that?· Can you tell me the quickest way to the centre of town?tell somebody (that) · She wrote to tell me she was getting married.· We were told that the manager wanted to see us in his office immediately.tell somebody what/where/who etc · Just tell me what happened.· Can you tell us where the nearest garage is?tell somebody about something · Have you told anyone about this?· One angry passenger claimed travellers were not told about the mechanical problems.
► let somebody know especially spoken to tell someone something important that they need to know or want to know: · If you need any help, just let me know.· You mean she just left without letting anyone know?let sb know about: · They said they'd let her know about the job by the end of the week.let somebody know something: · I'll let you know our new address as soon as I have it.let sb know (that): · When you get there, will you phone and let me know you arrived safely?let sb know what/where/how etc: · Jean tried to get in touch with her husband to let him know what had happened.
► inform to officially or formally give someone information about something: · Do you think we ought to inform the police?inform somebody of/about something: · You should inform your bank of any change of address.· Doctors should inform patients about the possible side effects of any drugs they prescribe.inform somebody (that): · I am sorry to inform you that your application has been unsuccessful.
► notify formal to officially or formally give important information to someone, especially by telling them about something that has happened or that will happen: · Passengers are requested to notify a member of staff if they see suspicious packages.notify somebody of something: · Police notified the boy's parents of his death immediately.notify somebody that: · Staff were notified several months in advance that they would be losing their jobs.
► bring something to somebody's attention/notice to tell someone about something that they did not know but which they should know: · I am sure that your parents will want to know about this, and I will personally bring it to their attention.· The General Medical Council cannot investigate every controversial treatment brought to its attention.it's been brought to my attention/notice that: · It's been brought to my notice that you've expressed your dislike of a certain member of the company.
► break the news (to somebody)/break it to somebody to tell someone some bad news or something that might upset them: · Do you want to break the news or shall I?· She suspected that she had cancer, and that the doctors were trying to break it to her gradually.· After Jack's body was found, a policewoman had to break the news to his mother.break it to somebody that: · He was wondering how to break it to Celeste that their relationship was over.break the news gently/break it to somebody gently (=tell someone something in a way that does not shock them too much): · Maybe I should speak to Connor first, so he can break the news gently to Patrick and Mary.
to tell someone in authority about something wrong that someone has done► tell on/tell to tell someone in authority, especially a parent or teacher, about something wrong that someone has done - used by children: · I'm going to tell if you don't stop messing around.· Please don't tell on me -- Mum thinks I've been staying at my friend's house.
► rat on also split on somebody British informal to tell someone in authority about something wrong that someone has done, especially when this seems disloyal: · Can you believe he ratted on his own brother?· Don't worry, Robert's reliable. He won't split on us.
► tell tales British /tattle (on somebody) American if a child tells tales or tattles on someone, they tell a parent or teacher about something another child has done in order to cause trouble: · "Mum, Daniel's broken a plate." "Don't tell tales, dear."· Sarah's teacher told her it was silly to keep tattling on her classmates.· You'll lose all your friends if you keep tattling.
► report to give information about a crime, an accident etc to the police or to someone in authority: · I'd like to report a theft.report something to somebody: · All accidents must be reported at once to the aviation authority.· Many rape victims are too scared to report the attack to the police.report somebody (for something): · A man has been reported for a number of alleged motoring offences.
► inform on to secretly tell the police that someone you know has done something illegal: · Charlotte informed on her brother, who was then arrested for drug-dealing.· He categorically denied that he had ever informed on dissidents.
► grass British informal /squeal American informal to tell the police who is responsible for a crime or illegal activity when this seems disloyal: · When we got there the cops were waiting for us. Somebody must have squealed.grass on: · If the others ever found out he'd squealed on them, they'd kill him.· You grassed on us to save your own life.grass somebody up: · I don't trust her -- what if she grasses us up?
► talk to give the police information about a crime that you know about or are involved in, especially when they are questioning you officially about it: · The suspect was questioned for two hours, but refused to talk.· He said he'd come back and kill me if I talked.
► blow the whistle to let people know about an illegal activity which has been happening for a long time, especially when you have been helping to keep it secret: · He was shot because he knew too much and was about to blow the whistle. blow the whistle about: · It was the factory manager who eventually blew the whistle about the pollution scandal.blow the whistle on: · We'd better get her before she has a chance to blow the whistle on us.
► tip off to give the police or another authority information that will allow them to prevent a crime taking place: tip off somebody: · Somebody must have tipped off the police. They were already waiting at the house.· The alert was started by another inmate who tipped off prison staff.tip somebody off: · I wonder who tipped them off.tip somebody off that: · His contact had not merely tipped him off that drugs were on the premises, he had told him where to look.
► name names to make public the names of people who have done something wrong: · If you don't give me the money, I'm going to start naming names.· Someone -- I won't name names -- has been caught stealing from the stores.
► nark especially British, informal /narc especially American, informal to secretly tell the police or someone in authority about someone else's criminal activity, especially activities involving illegal drugs: · "How'd they get caught?" "Somebody must've narked."nark on: · If things get too risky, Ken'll probably narc on you to the cops.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES► an informed choice
Word family (=a choice based on knowledge of the facts about something)· The patient should have enough information to make an informed choice.
► informed consent (=based on full information about what will happen)· The men took part in this study after giving informed consent.
► an educated/informed guess (=a guess based on things that you know are correct)· Stockbrokers try to make educated guesses as to which stocks will do well.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB► fully· In order to fully inform such study there is a need for more research in this field.· And he kept them fully informed.· One primary intervention therefore was for me to liaise regularly with the ward so that Mrs Allen was fully informed about the situation.· Four facts about car alarms: Fact 1: Buyers are not fully informed.· To ensure a mutually beneficial outcome it is necessary that both parties be fully informed of all relevant information.· Such behavior would scarcely be acceptable to a fully informed public.· Their 1S09002 project management structure meant we were fully informed throughout.· He studies his council material in close detail and refuses to cast a vote until he is confident he is fully informed.
► well· In modem history as it affected his class he was well informed as ever, and had a memory overflowing with detail.· Innkeepers Lynnette and Bob Kahn were delightful and well informed about the area.· In an area where the costs of being well informed are high compared with the benefits, this is not surprising.· He was well informed on civil and constitutional law.· There should be a collective understanding of the issues, so that the judgements involved in decision-making can be well informed.· The product is reasonably well written and they appear to be well informed about local issues.· In the effort to distribute accurate information, keeping journalists and politicians well informed is absolutely crucial.· His father was a quiet man, but he was surprisingly well informed on current issues.
NOUN► authority· I am informed that local authorities currently have to make their requests through the police.· They asked their countrymen to inform the authorities of their arrival and pass on their request for asylum, the report added.· This involves the operator informing the local planning authority of its intentions.· Many also saw it as a means of informing the authorities of their grievances.· The body may not always be accepted, but swift action must be taken on death to inform the authorities.
► change· On page 40 you will find a list of who to inform of your change of address.· He had visited Ward at his home to inform him about the changes at Stark and Evans, and to reassure him.· I could almost see him ticking me off the list of people to inform of his change of address.· Store ads inform customers of price changes, of changes in food supply, and about specials.· Closed lists are set up by some sort of authority or publisher to keep you informed of news or changes.· Starbuck, as is the custom, goes below to inform Ahab of the change.· The work force should be informed of the likely changes in good time.
► choice· The first step is to get informed and use our choices as consumers and investors wisely.· This sort of upbringing informs your choices, if you can call them that.· Micky Burns from the players' union advises and assists on the options to help them make informed choices about their futures.· Almost all packaged foods now sport the Nutrition Facts label to help you make informed food choices.· What they seek is not informed choice but compliance.· Meader found that by any standard, even if one disagrees with their decisions, voters exercised informed judgment and rational choices.· The authors say national guidelines and local written policies should be adopted to promote informed choice and equity of service.· How can one make informed choices?
► decision· But some recent research about the effects on crime of gun ownership ought to play a part in informing society's decisions.· This brochure empowers sufferers with knowledge to make informed decisions about their headache care.· Her courtiers have all been informed of this decision and have acted accordingly.· Remember the reason you gave me when you informed me of your decision?· Their views should be sought regularly and systematically to inform decisions about what services should be provided.· They can not make informed decisions based on serious print information.· The research would inform planning and decision making over the use of legal aid in tribunals.· Everyone should have enough information to make an informed decision.
► development· In particular, it is hoped that the research will inform the development of media education within the National Curriculum.· Lloyds said it is consulting its advisers, Samuel Montagu and Co., and will keep shareholders informed of future developments.· Councillor Fraser will keep us informed regarding developments.· Please keep me informed of any developments in your plans.· They have reflected the wishful thinking that informed liberal development politics in the post-War period.
► letter· But where are the letters in which Serafin informed Summerchild of this?· In a sappy January 19 letter, Likins informed them they have one month to submit their appeal documentation to him.· I've already drafted a letter informing him that it may be some time before Miss Brown's estate is settled.· Suppose the seller puts a letter in the post informing the buyer that the goods are in a deliverable state.
► manager· Self-actualisation is too vague a concept to usefully inform managers. 5.· They also inform program managers and others within their organization of the status and availability of funds in different budget accounts.· They in turn must inform the shop managers who then pass it on to the shop staff.· Otherwise, the comment is used in the mail message to inform the package manager that approval has been denied.· As soon as you receive the official letter from the Court, you should inform your Manager.
► parent· The failure to carry out assessments and to inform and involve parents has already been covered here.· Please inform the parents that my brother and I are in the best of health.· His cousin knew of our predicament and had informed Malc's parents before we had a chance to break the news ourselves.
► police· The voice on the telephone had informed the police the butcher was in the habit of buying stolen sheep and fowl.· It was the press that later seemed to always side with the blacks, informing on police who committed excesses.· While her colleagues pompously assemble public forums, she informs the police.· But I had informed the police and asked for help even before the doorbell rang.· Mr Barrett informed the police and tape-recorded subsequent meetings.· Stephen's informed both the police and Immigration.· He was arrested after his wife informed police about two images she had found on his computer.· When the cheque was dishonoured the seller did all he could to trace the rogue and car and he informed the police.
► public· It is intended that the results of the programme will inform the public about policy options.· It is obvious that an informed and interested public is the key to successful self-governance.· Considerable efforts were then made to clean out the system but not to inform the public.· Such behavior would scarcely be acceptable to a fully informed public.· The farming industry needs to inform the public about all aspects of their industry and open these up to public discussion.· An informed public would prefer prudent, deliberative management.· The report suggests that individual products could be labelled to inform the public about how much electricity the appliances consume.· It was his personal contribution to an informed public.
VERB► fail· They fail to keep him informed, and to advise at crucial times, such as takeovers.· He failed to inform the State Department or his Secretary of State of the new policy.
► keep· Please include your own full address details so that we can keep you informed.· Angiletta said the primary purpose of the web site was to keep the public informed about legislation to protect children from predators.· Please keep us informed if you know of any talented youngsters. 4.· When changes are made, how are users kept informed?· Please keep me informed of any developments in your plans.· And they had to be kept informed on a regular basis about changes in the competitive picture and performance expectations.· First, we try to keep you informed.· Lloyds said it is consulting its advisers, Samuel Montagu and Co., and will keep shareholders informed of future developments.
► need· I agree wholeheartedly that parents need to be informed of their children's progress.· No one here needs to be informed why the region can not feed itself.· This understanding needs to be informed, up-to-date and backed by first-hand experience, not based on hearsay or second-hand impressions.· We need informed hosts like him to keep things honest.· The farming industry needs to inform the public about all aspects of their industry and open these up to public discussion.· High-school guidance counselors and friends who are already in college need to inform young people what they are getting into.· Plaintiffs will need to inform the courts immediately if they receive payment from the defendant before the hearing.· She lacked the toughness needed to inform some one she or he would not be allowed to participate in a community money-borrowing scheme.
► require· It does not require science to inform us that infants require infant care and children require child care.
► write· He thereupon immediately wrote to Kingsway Motors informing them of the situation and claiming the return of his purchase price.· The material was written to inform, but not talk down to, consumers.· All patients gave written informed consent.
WORD FAMILYnouninformantinformationinformermisinformationdisinformationadjectiveinformative ≠ uninformativeinformed ≠ uninformedverbinformmisinformadverbinformatively
1to officially tell someone about something or give them information: They decided to inform the policeinform somebody about/of something Please inform us of any change of address as soon as possible.inform somebody (that) We regret to inform you that your application has been rejected.► see thesaurus at tell2formal to influence someone’s attitude or opinion: Her experience as a refugee informs the content of her latest novel.inform on/against somebody phrasal verb to tell the police or an enemy information about someone that will harm them: He denied that he had ever informed on his neighbours.