Por Nick Potter

In this series we look at real-life examples of the most common mistakes in English by native Spanish lawyers. These and lots more invaluable tips are available in a new e-book/paperback, here: 50 English Tips for Spanish Professionals.

inform, notify and communicate

Consultancy work involves a lot of informando and comunicando; so it’s unfortunate that the equivalent English terms require different prepositions and construction than you may realise.

Question: Which ONE of A – H below is correct?

A Please note that the letter provided informs that the deadline is the end of the month
B CNMV notification dated 8 February informing of its non-opposition to the appointments
C We are very pleased to inform that we have come top in the ranking
D The lender notified to the guarantor that an event of default had occurred
E The Transferee undertakes to notify the Transfer to the Company
F The Ministry’s decision must be notified within 30 days after the communication of the purchase agreement
G Suspicious transactions must be communicated to the authorities within 15 days
H A decision must be taken within 30 days after the transaction has been communicated by the Company

Before you the answer, remember:


Let’s take these three verbs in turn:

Inform
  • You inform somebody (not “inform to” somebody) of or about something
  • Always with an object e.g. We informed him of the situation; They were informed that no risk was involved

If you don’t have an object, use state, declare or announce.


Notify
  • You notify somebody of or about something
  • Passive: something is notified to somebody e.g. The appointment of an assistant company secretary need not be notified to the Registrar
  • Always with an object e.g. The liquidator did not notify the Registrar; She wasn’t notified

If you don’t have an object, use state, declare or announce.


Communicate
  • Passive: results and other information are communicated to somebody
  • Things are not usually communicated by somebody – better to say reported, disclosed or declared by.

So

A and B are wrong because to inform is always used with an object. So, technically you’d have to say:

A Please note that the letter provided informs her / them / us that the deadline is the end of the month
B CNMV notification dated 8 February informing her / them / us of its non-opposition to the appointments

In fact, “state” is a better fit here, because it does not require an object:

A Please note that the letter provided states that the deadline is the end of the month
B CNMV notification dated 8 February stating its non-opposition to the appointments

Inform is also misused in C, for the same reason (lack of object). Here, use “announce” instead.

C We are very pleased to inform announce that we have come top in the ranking

D-F are wrong because you notify somebody that / of something or something is notified to somebody:

D The lender notified to the guarantor that an event of default had occurred (or: The event of default was notified to the guarantor by the lender)
E The Transferee undertakes to notify the Transfer to the Company of the Transfer
F The Ministry’s decision must be notified to the company within 30 days after the communication of it is informed of / notified of the purchase agreement

G is the correct sentence. H is wrong because of the construction “communicated by”:

G Suspicious transactions must be communicated to the authorities within 15 days [CORRECT]
H A decision must be taken within 30 days after the transaction has been communicated reported / declared by the Company