abreast of developments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "abreast of developments" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to indicate that someone is aware of the most recent changes, information, or events. For example: "We need to ensure that our employees remain abreast of developments in our industry so that we remain competitive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He asked Adebowale to keep him abreast of developments.

Independent

Jaymee Wade, Dashon Harvey's aunt, said that investigators had kept her family abreast of developments in the case.

The New York Times

Environment, as a policy issue and a profession, is ever-changing so any prospective practitioners must stay abreast of developments.

The Guardian

Though primarily a historian of economic thought, he took pains to keep abreast of developments across the discipline.

The Guardian

The trial judge, Mr Justice Dingemans, specifically asked barristers to keep abreast of developments at the supreme court.

The Guardian

This one was delayed for more than two years as the Vatican's thinkers struggled to keep abreast of developments in the world economy.

The Economist

In line with our policy of keeping tax payers abreast of developments, we reprint here a paragraph in a recent number of Standard Federal Tax….

The New Yorker

The briefing came a day after some local officials and senior executives of American Media complained that investigators were not keeping them abreast of developments.

The New York Times

This Morning presenters Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby will introduce pieces from ITV News anchor Alastair Stewart for viewers wanting to keep abreast of developments at St Paul's.

The Guardian

He said the majority had actively kept abreast of developments in Iraq, though it might not be conducting the "show trials" he said Democrats would prefer.

The New York Times

Throughout the weekend Button's mother, Simone Lyons, was keeping abreast of developments in England and encouraging her only son from afar.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "abreast of developments" when you want to emphasize the importance of staying current with changes and progress in a particular field or situation. It's particularly effective in professional and academic contexts.

Common error

While "abreast of developments" is widely understood, it's best suited for formal and professional communication. Avoid using it in casual conversations; opt for more informal alternatives like "keeping up with" or "staying in the loop".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "abreast of developments" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, typically used with verbs like "keep", "stay", or "remain". According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and indicates awareness of recent changes or information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "abreast of developments" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that emphasizes the importance of staying current with the latest information and changes across various fields. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and widely applicable phrase, particularly suitable for formal and professional contexts. While alternatives like "informed about developments" exist, they may lack the nuance of continuous effort implied by "abreast of developments". Therefore, use this phrase when you wish to stress the ongoing need to stay informed and proactive in a professional or academic setting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

informed about developments

Focuses on the state of being informed, rather than the act of keeping up.

up-to-date on developments

Emphasizes having the most current information.

aware of the latest developments

Highlights awareness and the novelty of the information.

keeping up with the latest news

Specifically refers to staying current with news-related information.

staying informed on progress

Focuses more specifically on progress and implies a continuous effort.

knowledgeable about recent events

Highlights knowledge and focuses on events rather than ongoing developments.

following recent trends

Focuses on trends, which is a more specific type of development.

well-versed in current affairs

Implies a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of ongoing events.

apprised of changes

Implies being formally or officially informed of changes.

in the know regarding current trends

Suggests having insider knowledge about current trends.

FAQs

How can I use "abreast of developments" in a sentence?

You can use "abreast of developments" to describe someone who stays informed about the latest information in a field. For instance, "It's crucial for researchers to stay abreast of developments in their respective fields."

What are some alternatives to "abreast of developments"?

Alternatives include "informed about developments", "up-to-date on developments", or "aware of the latest developments", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "abreast of developments" in casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "abreast of developments" is more suited for formal or professional settings. In casual conversations, simpler alternatives like "keeping up with" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "abreast of developments" and "aware of developments"?

"Abreast of developments" implies a continuous effort to stay informed, whereas "aware of developments" simply indicates a state of being informed at a particular moment. The former suggests a proactive approach, while the latter is more passive.