Update someone on something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Update someone on something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to inform someone about the latest information or developments regarding a specific topic or situation. Example: "I will update you on the project's progress during our next meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The value someone puts on something should not, therefore, depend on whether he actually owns it.

The Economist

Update: Someone must have noticed.

The New Yorker

"Everything," said Paterson, who added: "Just wanted to update you on something.

The Guardian

I became George's muse when they needed someone sitting on something.

The New York Times

Notable Quotes Many offices keep a computer file that is updated whenever someone says something funny, unusual, or profound.

The New York Times - Tech

No reason to let someone sell you on something untested.

Forbes

The entire report is based on something someone heard someone else say at a party.

TechCrunch

The worst thing to do is interrupt someone who is working on something or talking with someone else.

WikiHow

2 Someone on Twitter said something you disagreed with.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The claim very clearly has been crafted/tweaked to read on the wall updates that you get when someone posts something new in their status update.

TechCrunch

Another reason for discontinuing pain medication was the notion of overcoming the pain on their own, taking responsibility, and no longer depending on someone or something else.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Specify clearly what you are updating the person on. Vague updates can be unhelpful and create confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "Update someone on something" when there are no actual developments. Only use this phrase when you have a new information to present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Update someone on something" functions as a directive, where the speaker commits to conveying the latest information to a specified person. Ludwig indicates the phrase is suitable for English writing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Update someone on something" is a grammatically sound and practical expression used to convey the act of providing the most current information to someone. Ludwig confirms its acceptability in written English. While versatile across different contexts, it's most commonly found in news, media, and scientific sources. To enhance clarity, it’s best to specify the subject of the update and avoid using the phrase when there are no new developments to share.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Bring someone up to date on something

Focuses on ensuring someone has the latest information.

Give someone an update on something

Rephrases the sentence to use "update" as a noun.

Inform someone about something

Uses a more general verb "inform" instead of the specific "update", changing the nuance slightly.

Brief someone on something

Implies a concise and to-the-point update, focusing on key details.

Let someone know about something

A more casual way of providing information, suitable for informal contexts.

Tell someone the latest on something

Simplifies the phrasing to a more direct form of communication.

Keep someone posted on something

Implies providing regular updates over a period of time.

Fill someone in on something

An idiomatic expression meaning to provide someone with the latest information.

Notify someone of something

Emphasizes the act of officially informing someone.

Advise someone about something

More formal and suggestive of guidance or recommendations.

FAQs

What does "Update someone on something" mean?

The phrase "Update someone on something" means to provide the latest information or developments regarding a particular topic or situation to someone.

How can I use "Update someone on something" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "I will "update you on the project" during our next meeting", or "Can you "update me on the situation" when you have a moment?".

What are some alternatives to "Update someone on something"?

Alternatives include "Inform someone about something", "brief someone on something", or "let someone know about something" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "Update on something" without specifying who is being updated?

While grammatically possible, it's generally better to specify who you are updating. For example, instead of just saying "Update on the project", say "update the team on the project" for clarity.