inform on
B2 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words
To tell the police or a person in charge about something bad that someone else has done.
Meanings
1 B2 neutral
To secretly report someone's criminal or improper behavior to the authorities.
"He was arrested after a former partner informed on him to the police."
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 neutral
To tell a person in authority about someone's misbehavior (including in informal or school contexts).
"She informed on her classmates for cheating, and two of them were expelled."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Carries a strong connotation of betrayal. Often used in criminal, political, or wartime contexts. The person who informs is sometimes called an 'informer' or 'informant'. Used in both British and American English.
Commonly used with
police authorities suspect neighbor colleague accomplice
Forms
Base
inform on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
informs on
he/she/it
Past simple
informed on
yesterday
Past participle
informed on
have + pp
-ing form
informing on
continuous
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