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."
inseparable
inform on
B2 neutral inseparable transitive
To secretly give information about someone's illegal or improper activities to an authority figure.
In plain English
To tell the police or a person in charge about something bad that someone else has done.
What does "inform on" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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."
inseparable
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "inform on"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
police authorities suspect neighbor colleague accomplice
How to conjugate "inform on"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "inform on" in the wild
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