inform
Definitions
To give someone facts or knowledge; to tell.
告知；通知
To shape or influence something; to give character to.
影响；塑造（思想、风格）
To report criminal activity to the police.
告发；密告
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedin- (into) + form (shape) = 'to put shape into.' Originally inform meant to give form to something — an idea informs a poem, giving it structure. From this central image, the meaning extended to 'put information into someone's mind,' i.e. tell. The earlier sense (to give shape, to influence) survives in phrases like 'her experiences informed her writing.'
Root form still carries 39 more wordsWhy It Means This
Inform shows how a literal shaping verb became an everyday communication verb. In medieval and early modern English, you could «inform» clay (give it shape), «inform» a young mind (educate, shape it), or «inform» the king (tell him something). The educational shaping sense narrowed over centuries to the communication sense. But the older meaning hasn't died — careful writers still say «her childhood informed her novels,» meaning her childhood gave shape to them, not that her childhood «told» her novels. This dual life is worth noticing in good prose.
Usage Guide
- Tell (neutral/formal): 'I regret to inform you' — common in business and formal communication
- Shape (literary/academic): 'her travels informed her writing' — give character/influence
- Report a crime (legal): 'inform on someone' — typically negative, denouncing to authorities
- Stress: in-FORM (verb, stress on second syllable)
Example Sentences
- 1.
Please inform me when the package arrives.
- 2.
Her experience as a doctor informs her writing about illness.
- 3.
The witness refused to inform on her colleagues.
- 4.
We will inform you of any changes by email.
Easily Confused
inform vs notify — Both mean to tell, but «notify» is more formal and impersonal, typically involving official channels: «notify the police,» «notify the next of kin.» «Inform» is broader and can be casual or formal. You inform a friend; you notify the authorities.