"tell" = personal and direct "inform" = formal and neutral You may tell someone almost anything. For instance, you may tell about your day, tell a story, tell someone to do something, etc. You may only inform someone of official facts. You would not "inform" someone about your day (unless you were merely giving them facts without your opinions). You may not "inform" someone a story or to do something, etc. Example 1: "I INFORMED my sister about our mother's condition in the hospital." This means that I told her the facts: "Mom is in the hospital. She broke her leg. They are putting a cast on it for about six weeks." "I TOLD my sister about our mother's condition in the hospital." This means that I added personal details or my opinion: "Mom fell down the stairs. You know that back porch with the loose step? Well, it broke right under her. She was a trooper though! I'd have been screaming in pain! Well, anyway, the doctor set it and now she'll have a cast for about six weeks, so you and I will probably have to drive her places." Example 2: "I TOLD the neighbors to keep their dog quiet at night." I told them TO DO something. "I INFORMED the neighbors that, if they did not keep their dog quiet at night, I would call the police." I informed them of FACTS. It is implied that they must do something, but the fact is this: "If you do not do X, I will do Y."

- tell somebody: to communicate information or knowledge to somebody - inform somebody: to inform somebody of something inform - learn about something: to familiarize yourself with a subject - give information to police: to give confidential or incriminating information about somebody else's activities, especially to the police - be essential characteristic of... tell - relate events or facts: to give an account in speech or writing of events or facts - express something: to express a particular thing in speech - express something in words to somebody: to express thoughts or feelings to somebody in words

Thanks I think this is enough information for me

'inform can mean that you are going to tell a superior about something an employee has done which is bad. eg' I will have to inform the boss that you are defrauding the company'. Also a child may say, 'I am going to tell the teacher on you' [ I will tell the teacher that you did something wrong]

hey 谢谢... :P Inform -- to OFFICIALLY tell someone about something or give them information -- (formal)