25 Other Ways to Say I Would Like to Inform You That
Think of the last formal email you had to send. The news itself was simple. — a date had changed, a payment was due, a decision had been made — but the opening line slowed you down. Many writers reach for the same safe opener: I would like to inform you that the meeting has moved, the policy has changed, the result is ready. It works, yet repeated message after message, it starts to sound heavy and stiff.
The phrase i would like to inform you that is a polite email opening for announcements in written communication, common in business email, official letters, and customer messages everywhere. Still, it is only one way to open. English gives you plenty of alternative expressions for informing someone in an email or letter — some warmer, some shorter, some far more formal — and choosing the right one helps you match the moment instead of sounding like a template.
This guide walks through what the phrase means, when it fits, how professional it sounds, and twenty-five ways to say it, each with an example you can copy.
What Does “I Would Like to Inform You That” Mean?
At its heart, i would like to inform you that simply means “I want to tell you something.” The word inform means to give someone facts they did not have before, and the softer opening “I would like to” wraps that plain statement in politeness, turning an announcement into a courteous gesture. It warns the reader that news is coming, then hands over the news itself.
The phrase belongs to the world of formal tone and official notice writing. You will find it in an HR notice about a policy change, a bank’s letter about a fee update, or a school email about a schedule change. In each case the writer wants a respectful, official feel, and this opener delivers it.
It also helps to see what the phrase is not. It asks for nothing and carries no emotion of its own — the feeling comes from the news after “that.” I would like to inform you that your order has shipped sounds pleasant because the news is good; the same opener before a rejection sounds cold because the news is not. It is a neutral frame, and everything depends on what you hang inside it.
When to Use “I Would Like to Inform You That”
This opener fits best when the relationship is formal and the news matters. A human resources manager writing to all staff about a policy change needs an opening that sounds official without sounding rude, and this phrase does that. It tells every recipient: this is a real company announcement, please read it fully.
It is equally at home in a formal letter. A landlord writing about a rent revision, a university writing about an admission decision, or a lawyer sending a legal notice all need a measured, respectful start. In client communication, the phrase works when you announce something the client must act on — a billing update, a deadline change, an approval — because the formal frame matches the weight of the news.
Customer-facing teams use it too: a support agent writing about a service interruption or delivery delay is doing customer support in writing, and a polite opener keeps the message calm even when the news is unwelcome. Schools, hospitals, and government offices lean on it for the same reason — the reader may not know the writer, so the professional tone does the relationship-building.
Spoken aloud in a meeting, it sounds like reading from a script, and in a quick chat with a close teammate it is far more ceremony than the moment needs — the lighter openers below serve you better there.
Is It Professional or Polite to Say “I Would Like to Inform You That”?
Yes — it is both professional and polite. It is respectful, grammatically safe, and clear about what follows. In a formal letter or business email to someone senior, it is often exactly the right register.
Its weakness is freshness, not correctness. Because so many people lean on it, the phrase can read as stiff, distant, or copied from a template, and its length slows down short messages. Some readers also find it slightly old-fashioned next to shorter modern openers. None of that makes it wrong — a well-chosen alternative can simply sound warmer, clearer, or more human while keeping the same formality.
The table below sums up where this phrase works best and where a different choice may serve you better.
| Side | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|
| Pros | Polite, respectful, and safe for formal letters, official notices, and senior readers |
| Cons | Can sound stiff or template-like, and it is long for short, everyday messages |
25 Other Ways to Say “I Would Like to Inform You That”
The phrases below are natural ways to open a message with news, from strict notification openers to light, friendly ones. Read the tone of each carefully — the best choice depends on your reader, your relationship, and whether the news is good, neutral, or unwelcome.
1. I Would Like to Bring to Your Attention
I would like to bring to your attention points the reader at one specific detail with a formal tone: this fact deserves a closer look. Its cousin I’d like to bring your attention to is slightly lighter.
Example: “I would like to bring to your attention that the payment deadline for this quarter has moved to 15 June.”
Best for complaints, client communication, and HR messages where one fact must not be missed; too pointed for cheerful news.
2. Please Be Advised That
Please be advised that does not merely inform; it puts the reader on notice. Its authoritative tone suits warnings and messages with legal weight.
Example: “Please be advised that the office will remain closed on Monday due to scheduled maintenance.”
Perfect for a legal notice or a policy change with consequences; with friendly news, it sounds like a threat.
3. This Is to Notify You
This is to notify you drops the “I” entirely, so the message seems to come from the organisation, not a person — a classic notification frame with a formal tone.
Example: “This is to notify you that your subscription will renew automatically on 1 August.”
Use it for renewals and official notice updates; for a small team message, it feels faceless.
4. I Am Reaching Out to Let You Know
I am reaching out to let you know frames the message as a friendly approach rather than an announcement, softening the news before it lands — a semi-formal, warm feel that suits first contact.
Example: “I am reaching out to let you know that your application has moved to the next stage of review.”
Ideal for recruiters and client communication where engagement matters; too friendly for a strict legal warning.
5. I Thought You Should Know
I thought you should know is the most personal opener here — you were thinking of the reader and chose to pass something on — and that personal tone builds trust.
Example: “I thought you should know that the client has approved the final design this morning.”
Choose it for a colleague or a gentle heads-up; too intimate for a mass company announcement.
6. I Wanted to Update You
I wanted to update you promises progress rather than a one-off announcement: a story is already running, and this moves it forward, in a professional tone without stiffness.
Example: “I wanted to update you that the first batch of samples shipped this morning.”
Shines in any project update — orders, repairs, applications; pointless in a first message, when nothing exists to update.
7. I Would Like to Bring You Up to Speed
I would like to bring you up to speed assumes the reader missed something and kindly fills the gap — things happened, you were away, here is what matters — in a helpful, friendly tone.
Example: “I would like to bring you up to speed on everything that was decided while you were on leave.”
Perfect after a holiday or a missed meeting change discussion; risky with senior readers, who may hear a hint they were out of the loop.
8. I Wanted to Make You Aware
I wanted to make you aware builds awareness rather than demanding action — you simply want the fact registered. Popular for cautions and background changes.
Example: “I wanted to make you aware that two team members will be working remotely next week.”
Use it for early warnings in internal communication; when a decision is genuinely needed, it is too passive to prompt one.
9. Just a Quick Note to Let You Know
Just a quick note to let you know keeps everything small on purpose — quick note, small news, no fuss — giving it an informal, breezy charm in everyday workplace writing.
Example: “Just a quick note to let you know that the team lunch has moved to 3 p.m.”
Suits minor internal changes and friendly reminders; for serious announcements, the casual frame makes you sound careless.
10. I’m Happy to Inform You
I’m happy to inform you shares your feeling along with the fact, turning a plain announcement into good news delivered with a smile.
Example: “I’m happy to inform you that you have been selected for the scholarship this year.”
Save it for results, offers, and approval news; before bad news like a rejection or price rise, its joy would sound mocking.
11. I Am Pleased to Notify You
I am pleased to notify you is the formal sibling of the phrase above: the same pleasure, wrapped in ceremony. Banks and universities favour its measured positive tone for official good news.
Example: “I am pleased to notify you that your loan application has been approved.”
Fits awards, admissions, and approvals in a formal letter; in quick internal email it sounds grand, as if the news needed a brass band.
12. Please Note That
Please note that is less an opener than a spotlight: it marks the next sentence as the one nobody should miss. It often sits mid-message, right before a key rule or date.
Example: “Please note that all invoices must be submitted before the last working day of the month.”
Ideal for instructions and billing update messages; as a message’s only opener, it feels abrupt — more sign than sentence.
13. For Your Information
For your information — the long form of “FYI” — announces news that asks nothing of the reader: no reply, no action, just information sharing for the record.
Example: “For your information, the new parking rules come into effect next Monday.”
Choose it for a newsletter item or internal bulletin; if action is actually required, this phrase buries the request completely.
14. I Wanted to Share with You
I wanted to share with you presents the news as almost a gift, rather than a duty discharged, building connection and warmth.
Example: “I wanted to share with you that our team has won the regional quality award.”
Suits team wins and warm company announcement writing; for a fee increase, the gift framing feels dishonest.
15. It’s Important That You Know
It’s important that you know raises the volume without shouting: labelling the news important before delivering it guarantees reader attention. Its direct tone suits safety, money, and timing.
Example: “It’s important that you know that the backup system will be offline this weekend.”
Reach for it when missing the news would cost the reader; used for trivia, it teaches people to ignore your flag.
16. I’d Like to Inform You That
I’d like to inform you that is the primary phrase’s softer twin: the contraction takes out some starch, so it sounds marginally more human, while the meaning and formality stay identical.
Example: “I’d like to inform you that your interview is scheduled for Tuesday at 10 a.m.”
Use it in everyday formal email; in the most ceremonial letters, the uncontracted form still looks more correct.
17. I Thought It Would Be Helpful to Inform You
I thought it would be helpful to inform you wraps the announcement in consideration, explaining why the fact is worth the reader’s time, so the message feels thoughtful rather than routine.
Example: “I thought it would be helpful to inform you that the new form now takes only five minutes to complete.”
Works well for customer support tips and process improvements; for a strict instruction, the soft wrapping can blur the order.
18. I’m Writing to Make You Aware
I’m writing to make you aware states the message’s whole purpose in its first line, building awareness rather than demanding action.
Example: “I’m writing to make you aware that the venue for Saturday’s workshop has changed to Hall B.”
Choose it for written warnings you may need to prove were sent; in speech or chat, “I’m writing to” sounds over-built.
19. I’d Like to Take a Moment to Inform You
I’d like to take a moment to inform you slows the message down on purpose, suggesting the news deserves a pause — a reflective warm tone common in leaders’ announcements to their teams.
Example: “I’d like to take a moment to inform you that our support hours will change from next month.”
Suits thoughtful company announcement writing; for a two-line update it is far too much ceremony.
20. I Wanted to Reach Out and Inform You
I wanted to reach out and inform you pairs friendliness with formality: the reaching out shows initiative, the informing keeps things official — a favourite for businesses writing to regular customers.
Example: “I wanted to reach out and inform you that early check-in is now available for your stay.”
Great for proactive customer support and client communication; where readers prefer plain speech, “reach out” can feel overused.
21. This Letter Serves as a Notification
This letter serves as a notification is the most legalistic phrase here: the letter itself becomes the formal act of notifying, creating a paper trail for when the date of notice matters later.
Example: “This letter serves as a notification that your tenancy agreement will end on 30 September.”
Reserve it for a contractual obligation — tenancy, employment, membership; in ordinary email it is wildly overpowered.
22. Allow Me to Inform You
Allow me to inform you asks the reader’s permission to deliver the news, a courtesy from an older age of letter-writing — charming in the right setting, stiff in the wrong one.
Example: “Allow me to inform you that the ceremony will begin at noon sharp.”
Fits formal invitations and traditional announcements; in a modern tech workplace, it can sound like a costume.
23. I’m Writing to Notify You
I’m writing to notify you is the workhorse of formal email: five words announcing that a notification is the entire point, then it gets out of the way.
Example: “I’m writing to notify you that a position has opened in our marketing team.”
Use it for job news and account changes in business email; for warm personal news, readers may brace for bad news that is not coming.
24. Just a Quick Note to Update You
Just a quick note to update you marries the lightest frame here to a promise of progress: ten seconds of reading, and something moves forward.
Example: “Just a quick note to update you that the delivery is now expected on Friday.”
Shines for a team update or small plan change; when the update is bad or complicated, the breezy frame promises a simplicity the message cannot deliver.
25. This Message Is to Inform You
This message is to inform you is the plainest scaffold of all — subject, verb, purpose, nothing else — which is why providers use it in automated mail: impossible to misunderstand, no personality to get wrong.
Example: “This message is to inform you that your password will expire in three days.”
Choose it for system-style notices where clarity beats character; written to one person you know, it feels robotic.
Quick Reference Table for “I Would Like to Inform You That” Alternatives
The table below puts all twenty-five alternatives in one place, so you can compare their best use and tone before choosing.
| Alternative Phrase | Best Use Case | Tone |
|---|---|---|
| I Would Like to Bring to Your Attention | Formal – complaints, key details | Formal |
| Please Be Advised That | Formal – warnings, legal notices | Authoritative |
| This Is to Notify You | Formal – official notifications | Formal |
| I Am Reaching Out to Let You Know | Semi-formal – client outreach | Friendly |
| I Thought You Should Know | Semi-formal – personal heads-up | Warm |
| I Wanted to Update You | Semi-formal – project progress | Professional |
| I Would Like to Bring You Up to Speed | Semi-formal – catching someone up | Friendly |
| I Wanted to Make You Aware | Semi-formal – cautions, changes | Professional |
| Just a Quick Note to Let You Know | Informal – minor internal news | Casual |
| I’m Happy to Inform You | Semi-formal – good news, results | Positive |
| I Am Pleased to Notify You | Formal – official approvals | Formal |
| Please Note That | Formal – instructions, key rules | Neutral |
| For Your Information | Semi-formal – reference only | Neutral |
| I Wanted to Share with You | Semi-formal – wins, milestones | Warm |
| It’s Important That You Know | Semi-formal – critical alerts | Direct |
| I’d Like to Inform You That | Formal – everyday formal email | Formal |
| I Thought It Would Be Helpful to Inform You | Semi-formal – tips, improvements | Polite |
| I’m Writing to Make You Aware | Formal – written warnings | Formal |
| I’d Like to Take a Moment to Inform You | Formal – thoughtful announcements | Warm |
| I Wanted to Reach Out and Inform You | Semi-formal – customer messages | Friendly |
| This Letter Serves as a Notification | Formal – legal, tenancy letters | Formal |
| Allow Me to Inform You | Formal – ceremonies, formal letters | Formal |
| I’m Writing to Notify You | Formal – job, account news | Professional |
| Just a Quick Note to Update You | Informal – quick progress notes | Casual |
| This Message Is to Inform You | Formal – system-style notices | Neutral |
Frequently Asked Questions About “I Would Like to Inform You That”
Is “I would like to inform you that” grammatically correct?
Yes. Inform is followed by a person and then a “that” clause: you inform someone that something is true. Dropping the person — “I would like to inform that the office is closed” — is wrong: someone must be informed.
Can I say “I would like to inform you the meeting…” without “that”?
No — that shortcut breaks the sentence. Change the structure instead: “I would like to inform you of the meeting change” or “inform you about the meeting.” In the standard pattern, keep “you that” together.
Is this phrase too formal for everyday emails?
For close colleagues, usually yes. It never offends, but in a relaxed thread it adds ceremony the message does not need. A lighter opener such as just a quick note to let you know matches everyday internal communication far better.
What is the difference between “inform” and “notify”?
They overlap, but notify often suggests an official, sometimes required act of telling — you notify a bank, an insurer, an authority. Inform is the broader, softer word for giving someone facts.
How can I make “I would like to inform you that” sound less stiff?
Shorten it, warm it, or match it to the news. The contraction I’d like to inform you that relaxes it slightly, and good news sounds better with I’m happy to inform you. Often the real fix is a better-fitting alternative.
Conclusion
There is nothing wrong with the classic opener — it is polite, correct, and safe. But i would like to inform you that is only one frame, and repeating it in every message makes your writing sound like a single template. Match the phrase to the news instead: a formal tone for official notices, a warm tone for good news and people you know, a short light opener for small updates, and a legal frame only when a paper trail matters. When the opening fits the moment, your messages sound like a person again, not a form.
If announcements are a regular part of your writing, you may also enjoy reading about other ways to say “please be informed,” which covers gentle and formal alternatives for pointing readers to facts they need.
