inform on vs inform by

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Inform on' is used when someone provides information about someone else to authorities or others, often implying betrayal or reporting wrongdoing. 'Inform by' is used when the method or means of communication is being described.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 2254 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"inform on "

This phrase is used when someone provides information about someone else to authorities or others, often implying betrayal or reporting wrongdoing.

Examples:

He decided to inform on his colleagues to avoid being implicated in the crime.
She was pressured to inform on her friends by the police.
The witness agreed to inform on the suspect in exchange for protection.
I can't believe he would inform on his own family like that.
The informant was willing to inform on the criminal organization.

Show examples from the web [+]

You know, the ones you used to inform on me to?
Should we shoot them? ...An old friend who used to inform on you to the FBI...
Marketing authorisation holders of medicinal products are obliged to regularly submit to competent authorities Periodic Safety Update Reports to inform on all adverse reactions related to a given product as part of the pharmacovigilance monitoring of this product.
Marketing authorisation holders of medicinal products are obliged to submit regularly to competent authorities Periodic Safety Update Reports to inform on all adverse reactions related to a given product as part of the pharmacovigilance for these products.
A samurai does not inform on his fellows.
The regulation should also include a requirement on carriers to inform on restrictions on carriage on board of mobility equipment.
They asked me to inform on patty.
Marco's father thinks you were planted to inform on him.
I wouldn't even inform on the dead.
I can't inform on someone Just like that.
A possibility to inform on legal uses of communications should not be limited to copyright.
He takes money to inform on his friends.
Once you're there, you'll have to inform on me.
So why inform on someone who supplies it?
It sounds like, to me, that you're both asking Oliver to inform on each other.
They will not inform on anyone and they will not hang anyone.
And you're prepared to inform on them?
Negotiators from the EU (and their counterparts) would be invited to inform on the state of negotiations and get feedback from European and third countries civil society representatives.
My life in exchange for those I inform on?
However, it must be noted that the implementation of prevention schemes and initiatives to inform on risks of problem gambling or addiction are primarily the responsibility of national authorities.

Alternatives:

report on
betray
snitch on
tell on
rat out

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"inform by"

This phrase is used when describing the method or means of communication used to provide information.

Examples:

She informed by sending an email to the authorities.
He informed by calling the police anonymously.
The message was informally delivered by word of mouth.
The news was informally spread by informants in the community.
The information was informally shared by the whistleblower.

Show examples from the web [+]

Portugal must inform by means of the ANIMO system the competent authority of the place of destination and all Member States of transit of each consignment.
The Member State from which the animal is dispatched must inform by means of the ANIMO system the competent authority of the place of destination in Portugal and all Member States of transit of each consignment.
The Member State of identification shall inform by electronic means the competent authorities of the Member States of consumption thereof.
The Member State of identification shall without delay inform by electronic means the competent authorities of the other Members States if a non-established taxable person is excluded from the identification register.
3. The Member State of identification shall without delay inform by electronic means the competent authorities of the other Members States if a non-established taxable person is excluded from the identification register.
The Member State of identification shall without delay inform by electronic means the competent authorities of the other Member States if a taxable person not established in the Community or a taxable person not established in the Member State of consumption is excluded from the special scheme.';
The Member State of identification shall without delay inform by electronic means the competent authorities of the other Members States if a non-established taxable person is excluded from the identification register.
In this sense, consumers buying products in the shops can inform themselves by examining the labelling, but restaurant users have no access to such information.
They shall inform the Commission by 1 May 2004 of the measures taken.
3. Member States shall inform operators by the means which they consider the most appropriate as regards the application of the tendering procedure.
By a letter of 26 January 2004 we requested the Italian authorities to inform us by 25 February 2004 of the action taken to comply with the decision.
Could the Commission indicate which Member States had yet to inform it by the due date of 15 January 2009 of their transposition into national law of the Groundwater directive - protection against pollution and deterioration (2006/118/EC OJ L 372, 27.12.2006, p.
There is a need to inform consumers by means of appropriate carbon footprint labelling, to compensate European farmers fairly for their efforts to reduce emissions, and to encourage local farms to diversify (inter alia by developing EU production of plant proteins).
Member States shall inform operators by the means which they consider the most appropriate as regards the application of the tendering procedure.
We intend to inform you by the end of the year about our further considerations on how the directive can be strengthened, as it currently primarily concerns formal powers and the bodies that have to be established, together with other areas.
The Commission shall inform the budgetary authority by 15 April of the appropriations cancelled in this way.
They shall inform the Commission thereof by submitting a list of the fishing vessels concerned.
The Parties shall inform each other by means of an exchange of letters of their respective security and confidentiality requirements.
The Member States should inform the Commission by 30 November 2005 of the measures taken to ensure proper implementation of this Decision.
The Authority shall inform EFTA States by letter of the recalculation and the date from which it applies.

Alternatives:

communicate by
convey by
transmit by
share by
relay by

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inform on vs inform by

"inform on "

"inform by"

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