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?

APlease note that the letter provided informs that the deadline is the end of the month
BCNMV notification dated 8 February informing of its non-opposition to the appointments
CWe are very pleased to inform that we have come top in the ranking
DThe lender notified to the guarantor that an event of default had occurred
EThe Transferee undertakes to notify the Transfer to the Company
FThe Ministry’s decision must be notified within 30 days after the communication of the purchase agreement
GSuspicious transactions must be communicated to the authorities within 15 days
HA 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:

APlease note that the letter provided informs her / them / us that the deadline is the end of the month
BCNMV 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:

APlease note that the letter provided states that the deadline is the end of the month
BCNMV 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.

CWe 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:

DThe 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)
EThe Transferee undertakes to notify the Transfer to the Company of the Transfer
FThe 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”:

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