What is the difference between to notify something to someone and to notify someone of something

grammar meaning

Many speakers find the construction 'to notify something to someone' incorrect (as opposed to to notify someone of something) - see for example http://www.proz.com/kudoz/English/general_conversation_greetings_letters/4167728-notify_to.html. Many dictionaries do not distinguish between the two (e.g. Macmillan, which gives both. The OED on-line distinguishes, without comment, between to 'Inform (someone) of something, typically in a formal or official manner' (= notify someone of something) and to 'Give notice of or report (something) formally or officially' (notify to). I would have flagged 'notify to' as wrong, but I am now confused.


Solution 1:

Something to someone

One could indicate, explain, point out, etc. Notify sounds borderline. I'm not sure I would notify something to...

Someone of something

Here one can notify, inform, tell, warn, etc But I wouldn't use indicate, explain or point out

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