Navigate Lingo

All confusables

Update someone on something / Inform someone of / about something / Notify someone of something

Usage

Update someone on the latest position; inform someone of or about facts; notify someone of something when communicating formally or officially.

Update someone on something

Use when

You give someone the latest developments or current status.

Example

“Please update the Director on the implementation status.”

Inform someone of / about something

Use when

You give someone facts or information.

Example

“Please inform all applicants of the revised closing date.”

Notify someone of something

Use when

You communicate information formally or officially.

Example

“The agency will notify successful applicants of the outcome in writing.”

Quick check

update me the status, inform to the Director, notify the outcome to applicants

Usage note

Update can take a document or system directly when you mean revise it, as in update the register. Notify and inform can also take that-clauses.

Source checked 2026-08-13 (opens in a new tab)