[Grammar] To inform about, of, that?

[Buller]

Hi!

On another forum, a user posted his/her definition of using "to inform".

For reference, here is the link: inform of vs. about - WordReference Forums

The definitions were as follows (copy/paste):

Someone informed me that person x had succumbed to illness.
Someone informed me that person x had died.

I use of when I say the same whole idea but as a phrase:

Someone informed me of person x's succumbing to illness.
Someone informed me of person x's death.

I use about when I leave out part of the information:

Someone informed me about person x.
(I am not saying whether person x did something or experienced something.)

Someone informed me about what happened to person x.
(I am not saying what it was that happened.)

The first example with 'that' makes sense, but couldn't 'of' and 'about' be used interchangeably in the following examples?

I'm aware, that the combination 'about that' is "forbidden"

Anyone who has a legitimate answer?

***************
Also, could anyone post their view on the following quiz?

19. What did he inform you about? He informed us
A. about that the firm was closingB. that the firm was closingC. that the firm closesD. about that the firm will close.

The question key says, that the correct choise is B. that the firm was closing.

Considering the rule of not using "about that", we can exclude both option A and D. This leaves us with option B and C, both in the future tense. But here, I would regard option B as meaning that the firm was closing in the past tense, ie. we're talking about something that has already happened. But since we're talking about something that will definitely happen in the future, wouldn't the most correct answer be: that the firm will close? Or if the sentence wants to express that the firm is actually in the middle of the progress of closing, the correct answer would be: that the firm is closing. Or what?


Kind regards!
Buller

 

[5jj]

Of and about can be used interchangeably, in my opinion.

Also, could anyone post their view on the following quiz?

19. What did he inform you about? He informed us
B. that the firm was closing C. that the firm closes.

The question key says, that the correct choi[STRIKE]s[/STRIKE]ce is B. that the firm was closing.

I would regard option B as meaning that the firm was closing in the past tense, ie. we're talking about something that has already happened. But since we're talking about something that will definitely happen in the future, wouldn't the most correct answer be: that the firm will close? Or if the sentence wants to express that the firm is actually in the middle of the progress of closing, the correct answer would be: that the firm is closing. Or what?

His original words were, "The firm is closing" - present progressive referring to something that has been arranged for the future (or, something that is happening at the present. Context will make this clear). We generally backshift the tense in reported speech - He informed us that the firm was closing.

If this information is still true, then it is possible to report this without backshifting: He informed us that the firm is closing.

 

[Buller]

@fivejedjon:

Thank you, then it all makes sense!

But what about option C: ... that the firm closes? What does this sentence then suggest?

 

[5jj]

@fivejedjon:

Thank you, then it all makes sense!

But what about option C: ... that the firm closes? What does this sentence then suggest?

It suggests that it closes regularly. This is an unlikely situation - and would require an adverb.

 

[Buller]

It suggests that it closes regularly. This is an unlikely situation - and would require an adverb.

Of course! Like "...every night at 7 p.m.".

Thanks!

 

[Buller]

It suggests that it closes regularly. This is an unlikely situation - and would require an adverb.

Of course! Like "...every night at 7 p.m.".

Thanks!

 

[5jj]

Fine - but you need to add the "...every night at 7 p.m."

 

[Buller]

Of course