abreast of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "abreast of time" is not correct in standard English; the correct expression is "abreast of." You can use it to indicate that someone is up to date with current events or developments.
Example: "To succeed in this fast-paced industry, it's essential to stay abreast of the latest trends and technologies."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Keeping abreast of time (pun intended) now no longer needs to be a dull chronological exercise, but can now also arouse passion and a sense of wonderment about what remains very special and miraculous about human sexuality and eroticism.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

There's a fireplace to keep everyone warm during the cold nights, and a clock atop the mantle keeps all abreast of the time.

Huffington Post

I'm keeping abreast of my times.

The Guardian - Books

"It's extraordinary, the way she's kept abreast of the times".

Independent

It laid down fundamental rules that remained unchanged through the book's many printings, although Post took care to remain abreast of the times in dealing with broad changes in society.

Britannica

When we read novels of the past we're apt to think that they depict a world contemporary to them – that what is Dickensian about Dickens involved his constantly keeping abreast of his times.

The Guardian - Books

Really, "Tempo" seems like yet another summer group show, more elaborate and philosophical than most, befitting the Modern, with some good art and some not good art, invented partly so as not to monopolize attention during the hoopla of the opening while establishing the museum's desire to keep both abreast of the times and contemporary art in the foreground.

The New York Times - Arts

The new songs drip with the heroism and reggae glory of the Clash's heyday, but also show that the man has kept abreast of the times, right down to dance beats and speeches inspired by last week's Guardian (the sole protester at the anniversary of Tiananmen Square) and the morning's Liverpool Echo (about Pete Wylie, who owes him a fiver).

The Guardian

"I'm an old-timer myself and perhaps it's not fair to say, but maybe he wasn't quite abreast of the times". Mr. Dunn, a recent widower who has been in public life since he ran for City Council in 1952, was elected to the State Assembly last November, having served in the Senate years before.

The New York Times

It is the 21st century now and we must keep abreast of the times".

Science Magazine

Cooper admits, "It seems hardly a gracious thing to say, but it strikes me as true, that while our men seem thoroughly abreast of the times in almost every other subject, when they strike the woman question they drop back into sixteenth century logic" (VAJC, 85).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the correct idiomatic expression "abreast of the times" to indicate staying updated with current trends and developments, or use "abreast of" followed by the specific subject you are monitoring.

Common error

Avoid using "time" when the intended meaning is "the times". "The times" refers to current events and trends, while "time" refers to a more general concept. To be correct, specify the subject you are keeping abreast of, for example: "abreast of new technology".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "abreast of time" is intended to function as an adjectival phrase, aiming to describe a state of being up-to-date. However, Ludwig AI indicates that the standard and correct expression is "abreast of the times" or "abreast of" followed by a specific subject.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Wiki

16%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "abreast of time" appears in some contexts, it's not considered standard English. Ludwig AI suggests that the correct idiomatic expression is "abreast of the times" when referring to keeping up with current trends, or “abreast of [something]” when referring to a specific subject. Be aware of this distinction to ensure clarity and correctness in your writing. Alternative phrases like "stay informed" or "keep up-to-date" can also be useful depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep up-to-date

Uses a hyphenated adjective phrase to convey the idea of remaining current.

remain current

A more concise way of saying 'staying up to date'.

stay informed

Replaces "abreast of" with a more general verb phrase emphasizing the act of gaining information.

keep pace with

Implies maintaining a similar rate of progress or knowledge acquisition.

be well-informed

Emphasizes the state of possessing current knowledge.

stay in the loop

An idiomatic expression suggesting being part of an informed group.

follow current events

Specifically focuses on monitoring news and happenings.

monitor developments

Highlights the act of observing changes and advancements.

be conversant with

Suggests having a knowledgeable understanding of a subject.

track progress

Specifically focuses on monitoring advancements or changes over time.

FAQs

What does "abreast of the times" mean?

The phrase "abreast of the times" means to be up-to-date with current events, trends, and developments.

Is it correct to say "abreast of time"?

According to standard English usage, it is more common and correct to say "abreast of the times" or just "abreast of" followed by a specific topic. Using "time" alone is not idiomatic.

What can I say instead of "abreast of the times"?

You can use alternatives like "stay informed", "keep up-to-date", or "remain current" depending on the context.

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

You can use "abreast of" by following it with the specific subject matter you are staying updated on. For example, "It is important to stay abreast of the latest developments in the field."