The most common meaning of the verb inform is give information to or tell:
- Janet informed us of the change in plans.
However, in formal use, the verb inform can also mean guide or shape, influence or contribute to:
- The survey will inform (guide, shape) the planning of future events.
- Many research projects completed in 2009 informed (influenced) important decision-making.
If these more formal uses of the verb inform are likely to be unfamiliar to your readers, consider choosing another verb:
- contribute to
- determine
- direct
- govern
- guide
- influence
- shape
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