We must inform you that
Formal business communication expression
Use this phrase to deliver official news professionally while maintaining a serious, authoritative tone.
En 15 segundos
- A formal way to deliver important or official news.
- Commonly used in business emails and legal documents.
- Creates a professional distance between the speaker and listener.
Significado
This is a polite but very serious way for an organization or official to tell you some important news. It acts as a formal 'heads up' before sharing facts that might affect you.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6A bank emailing a customer
We must inform you that your account balance is low.
We must inform you that your account balance is low.
A landlord writing to a tenant
We must inform you that the rent will increase next month.
We must inform you that the rent will increase next month.
A joke between friends about a messy room
I must inform you that your socks have officially taken over the sofa.
I must inform you that your socks have officially taken over the sofa.
Contexto cultural
This phrase is a staple of 'Corporate English.' It reflects the Western value of professional distance in business settings. It became popular during the rise of modern bureaucracy to ensure that communications felt objective rather than personal.
The 'That' is Optional
In very fast speech or some writing, people might drop the word `that`. However, keeping it makes you sound more precise and professional.
Brace for Impact
When an English speaker hears this phrase, they often expect bad news. Use it carefully so you don't accidentally scare your friends!
En 15 segundos
- A formal way to deliver important or official news.
- Commonly used in business emails and legal documents.
- Creates a professional distance between the speaker and listener.
What It Means
Think of this phrase as the 'suit and tie' of sentences. It is a professional way to say I am telling you something. It sounds very official. When you hear this, you know the information is important. It creates a little bit of distance between the speaker and the listener. It makes the message feel like it comes from a company, not just a person.
How To Use It
You usually place this right at the start of a sentence. It is followed by a specific fact or a piece of news. For example: We must inform you that the office is closed. You don't need to add much emotion to it. Just state the phrase and then the news. It works best in writing, like emails or letters. In person, it sounds very stiff and serious. Use it when you want to sound like an authority figure.
When To Use It
Use this in business emails or official letters. It is perfect for announcing policy changes or contract updates. It is also common when giving someone news about their job or an application. If you are a manager, use it to tell your team about a big deadline. It helps keep things professional. If you are at a hotel, the staff might use it to tell you about a broken elevator. It shows that the speaker is taking the situation seriously.
When NOT To Use It
Never use this with your close friends or family. It will make you sound like a robot! If you tell your partner, I must inform you that I am hungry, they will probably laugh at you. Avoid it in casual texts or relaxed settings. It is too heavy for small talk. Also, don't use it if the news is a secret. This phrase is for public or official facts, not for sharing gossip over coffee.
Cultural Background
In English-speaking business culture, we love to use 'cushioning' language. We don't like to be too blunt or rude. This phrase acts as a soft pillow for the news that follows. It comes from a long history of formal letter writing. In the past, people used even longer phrases like We take this opportunity to inform you. Over time, it became shorter. Today, it is the standard 'corporate' way to speak. It shows that the organization is following proper etiquette.
Common Variations
You will often see We regret to inform you if the news is bad. If the news is just a neutral update, people might say Please be advised that. If it is a single person speaking, they say I must inform you. Another common one is We would like to inform you, which feels slightly softer. All of these serve the same purpose: making the communication feel official and organized.
Notas de uso
This phrase is strictly formal. Using it in casual conversation will make you sound like you are reading from a legal document.
The 'That' is Optional
In very fast speech or some writing, people might drop the word `that`. However, keeping it makes you sound more precise and professional.
Brace for Impact
When an English speaker hears this phrase, they often expect bad news. Use it carefully so you don't accidentally scare your friends!
The Passive Voice Trick
Companies use 'We' to sound like a united front. It's a cultural secret to avoid blaming one specific person for bad news.
Ejemplos
6We must inform you that your account balance is low.
We must inform you that your account balance is low.
Standard professional notification about a financial status.
We must inform you that the rent will increase next month.
We must inform you that the rent will increase next month.
Used to deliver potentially unwelcome news in a neutral way.
I must inform you that your socks have officially taken over the sofa.
I must inform you that your socks have officially taken over the sofa.
Using a formal phrase for a silly situation creates humor.
We must inform you that your request for leave has been approved.
We must inform you that your request for leave has been approved.
Even good news can be delivered formally in a workplace.
I must inform you that the toaster has finally died.
I must inform you that the toaster has finally died.
Slightly dramatic and formal for a household issue.
We must inform you that the surgery was successful.
We must inform you that the surgery was successful.
Provides a serious tone for a very important update.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the best option to complete the formal email.
Dear Customer, We ___ inform you that our prices are changing.
The word `must` completes the formal set phrase `We must inform you that.`
Which phrase makes this sentence sound most like a business announcement?
___ the flight has been delayed by two hours.
This phrase is the standard choice for official announcements like flight delays.
🎉 Puntuación: /2
Ayudas visuales
Formality Level of 'Inform'
Just telling you...
Hey, the milk is out.
I wanted to let you know...
I'm letting you know I'll be late.
We must inform you that...
We must inform you of the change.
Where to use 'We must inform you that'
Bank Email
Security updates
Job Application
Interview results
Legal Letter
Contract changes
Airport Intercom
Gate changes
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasEssentially yes, but the tone is different. We must inform you is much more formal and sounds like an official requirement, while We want to tell you is friendly and personal.
Only if you are being funny or dramatic. In a normal text, it will sound very strange and robotic.
The word must implies a duty or an obligation. It suggests that the speaker is required by law or company policy to give you this information.
Not always, but it is very common for bad news. It can be used for neutral updates too, like a change in opening hours.
In less formal business settings, you can just say Please note that or Just a heads up.
No, it is actually very polite in a professional context. It shows respect for the rules of business communication.
Yes, if you are speaking for yourself. Use We if you are representing a company or a group.
A full sentence should follow. For example: ...that the meeting is moved to Room 4.
Yes, it is used globally in English-speaking business environments, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.
You might hear it from the interviewer, but you probably won't say it yourself unless you are explaining a formal requirement from your previous job.
Frases relacionadas
We regret to inform you
A formal way to deliver bad news specifically.
Please be advised
A formal way to tell someone to pay attention to a fact.
For your information
Used to provide facts that don't necessarily require action.
This is to notify you
A very legalistic way to start an announcement.
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