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Prepositions after verbs

Notify of or notify by?

Use notify someone of something for information. Use notify by to describe the method.

Quick answer

Correct patterns with notify

Notify someone of something means inform them. Notify by usually refers to email, phone, or another method.

We will notify you of any changes.
Customers were notified by email.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
notify + person + of + information

Informing someone

Of introduces the information being given.

Please notify staff of the delay.
2
notify + person + about + topic

Less formal alternative

About is common in everyday English.

They notified us about the schedule change.
3
notify by + method

Showing communication method

By introduces the means of communication.

Applicants will be notified by text message.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
notify of
She notified him of the cancellation.
inform someone about something
notify by
You will be notified by email.
show the communication method

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using by for information

By should introduce the method, not the message.

✕ They notified us by the delay. ✓ They notified us of the delay.

Missing the object

Notify normally includes the person receiving information.

✕ She notified of the change. ✓ She notified us of the change.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The company notified employees ___ the policy update.
2. You will be notified ___ email.
3. They notified us ___ the new timetable.

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Frequently asked questions

Is notify of formal?

Yes, it is common in formal and official English.

Can I use notify about?

Yes, especially in less formal contexts.

What does notify by mean?

It identifies the communication method, such as by phone or by email.

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