be abreast of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be abreast of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone is informed or up to date on a particular topic or situation. Example: "To succeed in this fast-paced industry, it's essential to be abreast of the latest technological advancements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"If we had a huge presentation on it and everybody was trying to be abreast of what was going on, it might make things way worse," Bay said.

The New York Times - Sports

Although the public is unlikely to be abreast of the precise details of the differences between the two systems of regulation, there is clear in-principle support for a system independent of the newspaper industry.

The Guardian

Unlike its antecedents, this culture prized modernity above conformity to the ancient traditions; to be abreast of the floating world was to be up-to-date, sharing in the latest fashions and slang, delighting in the moment rather than in the eternal truths of Noh plays or medieval poetry.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I, working in media, sports, entertainment, and even academia, must be abreast of pop culture, digital and social advancements, platform and software changes, and so on.

HuffPost

"The financial crisis has put economic news on the front pages of newspapers daily, requiring individuals not just to be abreast of concepts such as deficit, national debt, and interest rate spread but also to evaluate the economic reforms that political leaders are proposing," she explained.

Huffington Post

Some participants distinguished between specialists and general practitioners, to the extent that the onus may be stronger on specialists to be abreast of emerging developments (including current research) in their field.

BMC Medical Ethics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Had she been abreast of the Winnie Mandela story anyway?

The Guardian - Film

Navarro told the Guardian this week: "We have been abreast of these developments in Libya.

The Guardian - Tech

But announcing the separation now, was, it was suggested, timed to ensure that investors were abreast of the financial implications.

The Guardian

They were abreast of Europe in such fields even ahead in some until the end of the 16th century.

The Economist

"You always think you're abreast of everything concerning the rules, until you run into a guy like Rich, Melvinn said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be abreast of" when emphasizing the importance of staying updated with developments in a field or situation.

Common error

Avoid using "be abreast of" when the need for current information is not relevant. Instead of "He was "abreast of" ancient history", opt for "He was knowledgeable about ancient history" if the information doesn't need to be current.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "be abreast of" functions as a stative verb, indicating a state of being informed or knowledgeable about a particular subject or situation. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showing subjects maintaining current awareness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be abreast of" is a phrasal verb indicating a state of being informed and up-to-date. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly used in news, science, and business contexts. While the phrase isn't overly common, as suggested by its "Uncommon" frequency, it effectively conveys the importance of staying current on a particular subject. For alternatives, consider using "stay informed about" or "keep up with". Remember to use the phrase when currency of information is a key factor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep abreast of

Maintains the "abreast" metaphor, implying parallel movement with information.

stay informed about

Emphasizes the continuous process of gaining knowledge about a subject.

keep up with

Suggests an effort to remain current with rapidly changing information.

be aware of

Focuses on having knowledge or consciousness of something.

be informed of

Highlights the act of receiving information, often passively.

be up to speed on

Indicates a state of readiness and current understanding.

be conversant with

Implies a level of familiarity and ease in discussing a topic.

be acquainted with

Indicates a general familiarity, but not necessarily up-to-the-minute knowledge.

have knowledge of

States a factual understanding of a subject.

be in the know about

Suggests having insider knowledge or privileged information.

FAQs

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

You can use "be abreast of" to indicate that someone is well-informed and up-to-date on a particular subject. For example, "It's crucial for doctors to be abreast of the latest medical advancements".

What is a good alternative to "be abreast of"?

Alternatives to "be abreast of" include "stay informed about", "keep up with", or "be aware of", depending on the context.

Is it more common to say "be abreast of" or "stay abreast of"?

Both "be abreast of" and "stay abreast of" are acceptable. "Stay abreast of" emphasizes the continuous effort to remain updated, while "be abreast of" simply indicates a current state of knowledge.

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

"Be aware of" implies a general knowledge or consciousness of something, while "be abreast of" suggests a more detailed and up-to-date understanding. To "be aware of" a problem is to know it exists, to "be abreast of" it is to know its current status and developments.