“Notice” vs. “Notify”: What’s the Difference?

A line illustration of two people with their mouth open, and a giant question mark between them.

The difference between “notice” and “notify”

  • The key difference between notice and notify is that notice implies a passive observation while notify involves an active action of informing someone.
  • Notice is typically used in a more general sense, whereas notify is used when there is a specific message that needs to be conveyed.
  • Notice can also refer to a document or communication itself, while notify refers to the act of conveying the information.
Communicate naturally with Engram AI proofreader

What is the definition of “notice” and “notify”?

Notice
  • Notice refers to being aware of something or taking note of something that is happening or has happened.
  • It can also refer to an official document or communication that provides information.
  • The term "notice" typically implies a passive observation rather than an active action.
Notify
  • Notify refers to actively informing someone or a group of people about something.
  • It typically implies a sense of urgency or importance in the information being conveyed.
  • The purpose of notification is to make sure that the recipient is aware of the information and can take proper action if needed.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Notice” is the more popular variant on the web.
More popular
Notice
3,770,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. I noticed that my phone was missing.
  2. Did you notice the beautiful sunset yesterday?
  3. The teacher gave us a notice about the upcoming exam.
Notify
534,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. Please notify me if there are any changes to the schedule.
  2. The company will notify you by email if you are selected for an interview.
  3. The hotel staff notified us of the fire alarm and escorted us to safety.
Want to express yourself confidently?
Engram AI proofreader helps you
communicate naturally
An illustration of a person writing freely on their laptop, using Engram.An illustration of a person writing freely on their laptop, using Engram.

Related articles