Choosing between “inform of” and “inform about” can be confusing because both expressions involve giving someone information. However, they are not always interchangeable. The choice often depends on what kind of information you are communicating and how the sentence is structured.
In general, inform someone of something means to officially tell or notify them about a particular fact, event, decision, or situation. Inform someone about something is also correct and usually emphasizes giving someone information or details concerning a topic. Understanding this small difference can help you write clearer emails, messages, academic assignments, and professional communication.
Quick Answer
Both “inform of” and “inform about” can be correct. Inform someone of something is common when announcing or notifying someone about a specific fact, event, decision, or change. Inform someone about something is often used when giving information or details about a subject. The context determines which sounds more natural.
Why Do People Confuse “Inform Of” and “Inform About”?
The confusion comes from the verb inform, which means to give someone information or tell someone about something.
Both patterns are grammatically possible:
- inform someone of something
- inform someone about something
The difference is usually one of focus and natural usage, rather than a simple rule that says one is correct and the other is wrong.
For example:
The company informed us of the decision.
This sounds formal and focuses on the specific decision.
The company informed us about the new policy.
This emphasizes information concerning the policy.
Another important point is that inform normally takes a person as its direct object:
- Correct: Please inform me of the changes.
- Correct: Please inform me about the changes.
- Incorrect: Please inform of the changes.
You need to identify who receives the information.
First Word: “Inform Of”
What Does “Inform Of” Mean?
Inform someone of something means to officially or directly tell someone about a fact, event, decision, change, or situation.
The structure is:
inform + person + of + information
Examples:
- Please inform me of any changes.
- We informed the manager of the problem.
- She informed her parents of her decision.
- The airline informed passengers of the delay.
“Inform of” is particularly common in formal, professional, legal, academic, and official communication.
When Is “Inform Of” Natural?
Use inform someone of when you want to emphasize that someone is being notified about a specific matter.
For example:
The school informed parents of the new attendance policy.
The parents are being officially notified about a particular policy.
Another example:
Please inform us of your decision by Friday.
Here, the decision is a specific piece of information that the recipient is expected to communicate.
Second Word: “Inform About”
What Does “Inform About” Mean?
Inform someone about something means to give someone information concerning a subject, event, issue, or situation.
The structure is:
inform + person + about + topic
Examples:
- The teacher informed us about the new course.
- The doctor informed me about the treatment.
- We informed customers about the changes.
- She informed her team about the meeting.
“Inform about” can sound slightly more conversational or explanatory than “inform of,” although both can be used in formal writing.
When Is “Inform About” Natural?
Use inform someone about when the focus is on the topic or subject being explained or discussed.
For example:
The guide informed visitors about the history of the building.
The sentence focuses on the topic—the history of the building.
Compare this with:
The manager informed the staff of the decision.
Here, the focus is on a particular decision being communicated.
Inform Of vs Inform About: Comparison Table
| Expression | Main Meaning | Common Focus | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| inform someone of something | Tell or notify someone about something | Specific fact, decision, event, or change | She informed me of the decision. |
| inform someone about something | Give someone information concerning something | Topic, subject, issue, or situation | She informed me about the project. |
| inform of | Often more formal and direct | Official notification | We informed them of the delay. |
| inform about | Often more explanatory | Information about a subject | We informed them about the process. |
When Should You Use “Inform Of”?
Choose inform someone of when:
- You are notifying someone about a specific decision.
- You are announcing a change.
- You are communicating an important fact.
- You are writing formal or official communication.
- You want to emphasize notification.
Examples
The company informed employees of the policy change.
Please inform me of any problems.
The hospital informed the family of the patient’s condition.
The government informed citizens of the new regulations.
We were informed of the cancellation yesterday.
When Should You Use “Inform About”?
Choose inform someone about when:
- You are providing information about a topic.
- You are explaining a subject or situation.
- You want to emphasize the subject being discussed.
- You are giving someone background information.
- The sentence naturally focuses on a broader topic.
Examples
The teacher informed students about the examination process.
The website informs visitors about local attractions.
The doctor informed the patient about the available options.
The manager informed employees about the upcoming changes.
The article informs readers about climate change.
10+ Examples of “Inform Of” and “Inform About”
Examples with “Inform Of”
- The manager informed us of the new schedule.
- Please inform me of any unexpected changes.
- The airline informed passengers of the flight cancellation.
- She informed her parents of her decision.
- The school informed students of the examination date.
- We were informed of the problem immediately.
Examples with “Inform About”
- The teacher informed students about the new assignment.
- The doctor informed me about the possible side effects.
- The website informs customers about its services.
- The guide informed tourists about the city’s history.
- The manager informed the team about the upcoming project.
- The article informs readers about healthy eating habits.
Comparing Both
The company informed employees of the closure.
This sounds like an official notification about a specific event.
The company informed employees about the closure process.
This focuses more on information and details concerning the process.
Common Mistakes
1. Forgetting the Person
A common mistake is using inform of without saying who receives the information.
Please inform of the changes.
Please inform me of the changes.
The verb inform normally needs a person as its object in this structure.
2. Using “Inform To”
Do not normally say:
Please inform me to the changes.
Use:
Please inform me of the changes.
or
Please inform me about the changes.
3. Confusing “Inform” With “Tell”
The structures are different.
Tell someone something:
She told me the news.
Inform someone of something:
She informed me of the news.
Do not copy the structure of tell directly when using inform.
4. Assuming “Inform About” Is Always Wrong
This is incorrect. Inform someone about something is grammatical and widely used.
The teacher informed us about the new rules.
The expression is perfectly acceptable.
5. Overusing “Inform Of” in Casual Conversation
“Inform of” can sound formal in everyday situations.
Instead of:
I will inform you of what happened.
A casual speaker might naturally say:
I’ll tell you what happened.
The best choice depends on the situation and level of formality.
Memory Trick
Use this simple idea:
OF → notification of a specific matter
ABOUT → information about a topic
Think:
Inform me of the decision.
Specific decision.
Inform me about the project.
Topic or subject.
This is a useful guideline, but remember that natural English does not always divide the two expressions perfectly. Context matters.
American vs British English
Both “inform someone of” and “inform someone about” are used in American and British English.
There is no major American-versus-British grammar rule that makes one expression correct and the other incorrect.
The main difference is usually related to context, style, and emphasis.
In formal writing, inform someone of is especially common:
We regret to inform you of the changes.
In explanatory contexts, inform someone about is also natural:
The brochure informs visitors about the local area.
The same basic distinction can be understood in both varieties of English.
Similar Words and Expressions
Several other verbs and expressions can replace inform, depending on the situation.
Tell
Used frequently in everyday English.
Tell me about your trip.
Notify
More formal and often used for official announcements.
The company notified customers of the change.
Advise
Often used when giving information or guidance.
We advise customers of any schedule changes.
Alert
Used when the information involves a possible danger or problem.
The system alerted users to the security risk.
Explain
Used when the purpose is to make something clear.
The teacher explained the new rules to us.
Brief
Used when giving someone important information, usually in a professional setting.
The manager briefed the team on the latest developments.
Final Verdict: Inform Of or Inform About?
Both “inform of” and “inform about” are correct when used with the appropriate structure.
Use inform someone of something when you are notifying someone about a specific fact, decision, event, change, or official matter.
Use inform someone about something when you are giving information concerning a topic, subject, issue, or situation.
If you are unsure, consider what you want to emphasize. A specific notification often works naturally with of, while information about a broader topic often works naturally with about.
FAQs
Is “inform of” grammatically correct?
Yes. Inform someone of something is a standard grammatical structure.
The manager informed us of the decision.
Is “inform about” grammatically correct?
Yes. Inform someone about something is also correct.
The teacher informed us about the new rules.
What is the difference between “inform of” and “inform about”?
Inform of often emphasizes notifying someone about a specific fact, decision, or event. Inform about often emphasizes providing information concerning a topic or subject.
Should I say “inform me of” or “inform me about”?
Both are possible. Use inform me of for a more direct or formal notification, especially with a specific decision or change. Use inform me about when focusing on a topic or information.
Is “please inform me of” correct?
Yes.
Please inform me of any changes.
This is a common formal expression.
Can I say “please inform me about”?
Yes.
Please inform me about the new procedure.
This is grammatical and natural when the focus is the subject or procedure.
Is “inform of” more formal than “inform about”?
Generally, inform someone of something can sound more formal or official, especially in notices and professional communication. However, inform about is also appropriate in formal contexts.
What preposition comes after “inform”?
Common patterns include inform someone of something and inform someone about something. The correct choice depends on the meaning and context.
Remember This
Inform of = notify someone of a specific matter.
Inform about = give someone information about a topic.
Always remember the person receiving the information:
inform + someone + of/about + something
For example:
Please inform me of the decision.
Please inform me about the project.
Both are correct, but the emphasis can be slightly different.
Conclusion
The difference between “inform of” and “inform about” is mainly one of emphasis and context. Inform someone of something is especially natural for specific facts, decisions, announcements, changes, and official notifications. Inform someone about something is useful when discussing or providing information about a broader topic or subject.
Learning the difference becomes easier when you look at the complete sentence rather than memorizing a rigid rule. When you are notifying someone about a particular matter, of is often a strong choice. When you are giving information about a topic, about is often natural. Both forms are useful, correct, and common in English.
David Henry is a language enthusiast and content writer specializing in synonyms, vocabulary, and word meanings. He creates clear, engaging resources that help readers improve their writing, communication, and English skills.
