In 15 Seconds
- Professional promise of a future update.
- Used in business, HR, and customer support.
- Indicates the speaker takes responsibility for contact.
- Requires a direct object (the person being informed).
Meaning
This phrase is a professional commitment to provide an update or specific news in the future. It carries a tone of authority and organized responsibility, letting the listener know they don't need to ask again because the speaker will take the initiative.
Key Examples
3 of 10End of a job interview
Thank you for coming in today; we will inform you of our decision by next Tuesday.
Thank you for coming in today; we will inform you of our decision by next Tuesday.
Customer support email
Our technical team is investigating the bug, and we will inform you as soon as it is fixed.
Our technical team is investigating the bug, and we will inform you as soon as it is fixed.
App notification
The item is currently out of stock, but we will inform you when it is back in the shop.
The item is currently out of stock, but we will inform you when it is back in the shop.
Cultural Background
In the US, 'We will inform you' is often associated with HR departments. It can sometimes be perceived as a 'polite rejection' if no specific date is given. British English often uses 'We shall inform you' in very formal or legal documents, which sounds even more traditional and binding than 'will'. German professionals using English often prefer this phrase because it matches the directness and structure of German business communication. When Japanese speakers use this in English, they are often translating the high-respect 'Oshirase' forms. They may follow up very quickly to ensure they haven't been 'rude' by being too brief.
Add a Deadline
To sound even more professional and trustworthy, always add a timeframe: 'We will inform you of our decision *by the end of the week*.'
The 'To' Trap
Never say 'inform to you.' It is the most common mistake for ESL learners. Just 'inform you'.
In 15 Seconds
- Professional promise of a future update.
- Used in business, HR, and customer support.
- Indicates the speaker takes responsibility for contact.
- Requires a direct object (the person being informed).
What It Means
Imagine you are sitting in a Zoom interview, heart racing, and the recruiter ends with those four heavy words: We will inform you. It sounds a bit like a mystery novel, doesn't it? In reality, it is the "tuxedo" of English sentences. It is a formal promise that the speaker will provide an update once a decision is made or new information becomes available. It is not just about the information itself; it is about the flow of power. When someone says this to you, they are saying, "I am in control of the timeline, and I will come to you when I am ready." It feels a bit distant, sure, but it is also reassuring because it removes the need for you to constantly follow up. It’s the professional way of saying "hang tight, buddy, we’ve got this handled."
How To Use It
You generally use this phrase when there is a delay between a process and its result. Think of it as a bridge. You’ve done the interview, or you’ve sent the support ticket, and now you’re in the "waiting room" of life. To use it correctly, you often pair it with a specific topic using the word of. For example: We will inform you of our decision. You can also use it with a time frame to make it feel less like you're being "ghosted" by a corporation. Adding by Friday or as soon as possible makes the phrase feel a lot warmer. It’s like putting a nice rug in an office; it softens the hard edges of the business talk. Just remember, it usually requires an object (the person being informed) and the information being shared. If you just say We will inform, people will look at you like you forgot the rest of your sentence!
Formality & Register
This phrase lives in the land of blazers, spreadsheets, and LinkedIn posts. It is strictly formal or high-neutral. You would never use this while playing a video game with friends or ordering a late-night kebab. If you told your best friend, I will inform you of my arrival at the pub, they would probably check if you’d been replaced by an AI bot. It is designed for situations where there is a professional distance. It’s perfect for customer service bots, HR departments, and government officials. However, in the modern world of Slack and WhatsApp, even businesses are moving toward I’ll let you know, which is the casual cousin of we will inform you. Think of inform as the expensive champagne and let you know as the reliable craft beer. Both get the job done, but one is much fancier.
Real-Life Examples
You’ll see this everywhere once you start looking. When you sign up for a beta test of a new app, the confirmation screen might say, We will inform you when your account is ready. If a flight is delayed, the overhead speakers might crackle with, We will inform you of the new boarding time shortly. Even in the world of Netflix or Disney+, if a show you want to watch isn't out yet, you might get a notification saying they will inform you upon its release. It’s the standard language of the "Wait and See" club. It shows up in legal letters, university acceptance emails (the scary ones!), and even in those automated "out of office" replies that we all love to send before a holiday. It’s the ultimate "to-be-continued" cliffhanger of the professional world.
When To Use It
Use this phrase when you want to sound like a professional who has everything under control. It is great for job interviewers who want to be polite but firm about the timeline. It’s also perfect for customer support agents who need to investigate a bug. If a user complains that their app is crashing, saying We will inform you once the fix is deployed sounds much more competent than We’ll tell you when it’s fixed. It builds trust. Use it when you are speaking on behalf of a group or a company—the we gives it a collective authority. It’s also useful when you want to stop someone from calling you every five minutes. It’s a polite way of saying, "Don't call us, we'll call you."
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this phrase in any situation that requires warmth, intimacy, or immediate action. If your partner asks what time you’ll be home for dinner, saying I will inform you of my ETA is a great way to end up eating dinner alone on the sofa. It is also too heavy for small, trivial updates. You don't need to "inform" someone that you've finished a cup of coffee. Furthermore, don't use it if you are actually talking to just one person and want to sound friendly; I’ll let you know is much better for building a personal connection. Using inform can sometimes make you sound like a bureaucrat from a 1950s movie, so use it sparingly if you want to be seen as a modern, approachable human being.
Common Mistakes
The most classic error is adding an extra word where it doesn't belong. Many people try to say ✗ We will inform to you. In English, you inform *someone*, you don't inform *to* someone. It’s a direct action! Another mistake is forgetting the subject matter. ✗ We will inform you tomorrow is okay, but it's much better to say ✓ We will inform you of the status tomorrow. Also, watch out for the "robot effect." If you use this phrase five times in one email, you’ll sound like an automated spam filter. Mix it up! Don't be the person who writes like a legal contract when you're just trying to schedule a quick meeting. English is flexible—don't let your formal phrases turn into a straightjacket.
Common Variations
If we will inform you feels a bit too stiff, you have options. The most common is We’ll let you know. This is the bread and butter of casual business English. For something a bit more "tech-savvy" or modern, you might hear We’ll keep you posted or We’ll keep you in the loop. These variations imply a continuous flow of information rather than just one final update. In very formal British English, you might even hear We shall keep you advised, which is basically the "monocle and top hat" version of the phrase. If you’re texting a friend, just use I'll hit you up (very slangy) or I’ll message you. Each variation changes the "vibe" while keeping the meaning the same.
Real Conversations
Speaker A: Thanks for the interview today. When can I expect to hear back?
Speaker
we will inform you of our decision by the end of the week.Speaker A: My food delivery is twenty minutes late and the app isn't showing the driver's location!
Speaker
we will inform you as soon as we have an update on your order.Speaker A: Are we still going to the cinema tonight?
Speaker
I'll let you know around 5 PM.(Notice how the speaker switched to a casual version for a friend!)
Quick FAQ
Does this phrase mean I got the job? Not necessarily. It just means they will tell you the result, whether it's a "yes" or a "no." It’s a promise of communication, not a promise of success. Is shall better than will? In the 1800s, maybe! Today, will is the standard. Using shall makes you sound like a character in a period drama. Can I use it in a text message? Only if you are being funny or if you are talking to a client you’ve never met. Otherwise, it’s a bit too formal for a thumb-typed message. What if I forget to inform them? Then you’ve broken a professional promise! This phrase creates an expectation, so make sure you actually follow up. It’s better to say nothing than to promise an update you can't deliver.
Usage Notes
This phrase is most effective in business correspondence. It signals professionalism but can feel distant. Always ensure you don't use 'to' after 'inform' (e.g., 'inform you', not 'inform to you').
Add a Deadline
To sound even more professional and trustworthy, always add a timeframe: 'We will inform you of our decision *by the end of the week*.'
The 'To' Trap
Never say 'inform to you.' It is the most common mistake for ESL learners. Just 'inform you'.
Register Check
If you use this with your partner or family, they might think you are being sarcastic or 'acting like a boss'.
Examples
10Thank you for coming in today; we will inform you of our decision by next Tuesday.
Thank you for coming in today; we will inform you of our decision by next Tuesday.
A classic way to end a formal interview with a clear timeline.
Our technical team is investigating the bug, and we will inform you as soon as it is fixed.
Our technical team is investigating the bug, and we will inform you as soon as it is fixed.
Reassures the customer that they don't need to keep checking back.
The item is currently out of stock, but we will inform you when it is back in the shop.
The item is currently out of stock, but we will inform you when it is back in the shop.
Commonly seen in e-commerce and retail apps.
Please note that we will inform you of any changes to the terms and conditions via email.
Please note that we will inform you of any changes to the terms and conditions via email.
Standard phrasing for legal and administrative updates.
The admissions committee is still reviewing files; we will inform you of your status shortly.
The admissions committee is still reviewing files; we will inform you of your status shortly.
Used to manage expectations during high-stress waiting periods.
✗ We will inform to you about the party next week. → ✓ We will inform you about the party next week.
✗ We will inform to you about the party next week. → ✓ We will inform you about the party next week.
Never use 'to' after 'inform'. It's a transitive verb that takes a direct object.
✗ I will inform you the results tomorrow. → ✓ I will inform you of the results tomorrow.
✗ I will inform you the results tomorrow. → ✓ I will inform you of the results tomorrow.
You need 'of' or 'about' to connect the person to the information.
If the coffee machine breaks again, we will inform you via a very loud, dramatic scream.
If the coffee machine breaks again, we will inform you via a very loud, dramatic scream.
Using a formal phrase in a ridiculous context creates humor.
I'm still waiting for the test results from the doctor, but I will inform you once I know anything.
I'm still waiting for the test results from the doctor, but I will inform you once I know anything.
Shows seriousness and respect when sharing important health info.
Our new collection drops Friday! We will inform you through our stories the moment it's live.
Our new collection drops Friday! We will inform you through our stories the moment it's live.
A modern way for brands to build anticipation on social media.
Test Yourself
Choose the most professional way to end a job interview.
Interviewer: 'Thank you for coming in today...'
'b' is grammatically correct and uses the appropriate formal register. 'a' is too slang, 'c' has a preposition error, and 'd' is missing an object.
Fill in the missing preposition.
We will inform you ____ any changes to the flight schedule.
'Inform someone of something' is the standard grammatical pattern.
Match the phrase variation to the correct situation.
1. 'We will inform you of the verdict.' 2. 'I'll let you know when I'm home.' 3. 'We'll keep you posted on the project.'
Verdicts are formal/legal; 'let you know' is casual; 'keep you posted' is for ongoing professional updates.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesInterviewer: 'Thank you for coming in today...'
'b' is grammatically correct and uses the appropriate formal register. 'a' is too slang, 'c' has a preposition error, and 'd' is missing an object.
We will inform you ____ any changes to the flight schedule.
'Inform someone of something' is the standard grammatical pattern.
1. 'We will inform you of the verdict.' 2. 'I'll let you know when I'm home.' 3. 'We'll keep you posted on the project.'
Verdicts are formal/legal; 'let you know' is casual; 'keep you posted' is for ongoing professional updates.
🎉 Score: /3
Video Tutorials
Find video tutorials on YouTube for this phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsNo, it is not rude in a professional context. It is actually very polite and standard. However, if said with a cold tone, it can feel dismissive.
Yes, but 'We' is more common in business because you are usually representing a company or a team.
'Notify' is slightly more formal and often used for official alerts or legal requirements. 'Inform' is more general.
Only if you are mentioning the topic. 'We will inform you' (Stop) is fine. 'We will inform you of the date' (Topic) needs 'of'.
It depends on the situation. For a casual office or a friendly client, 'We'll let you know' is better. For a formal contract or interview, 'We will inform you' is better.
Related Phrases
Keep someone posted
similarTo give someone regular updates.
Let someone know
synonymTo tell someone something.
Notify
specialized formTo give official notice.
Get back to someone
similarTo contact someone again with an answer.