be in the loop

USAGE SUMMARY

"be in the loop" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used in business contexts to mean "to be kept informed on the latest developments of a project or topic". Example: "I want to make sure I'm in the loop about our sales strategy for the upcoming quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

To get it, you had to be in the loop.

The New York Times - Magazine

"A human must always be in the loop to authorize weapons release," he says.

The New York Times - Magazine

"There's a lot of people selling antiques who I thought would be in the loop and outbid Jen".

The New York Times

But after WorldCom's disclosure this week, Mr. Grubman was no longer claiming to be in the loop.

The New York Times

Vaithianathan assured him that a human would always be in the loop, so his efforts would not be overlooked.

Nature

In this era of media transparency, it seems only fair that those of us outside the industry should be in the loop.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

And who was in the loop?

The New York Times

Surely, it was in the loop.

The Washington Post

At the moment, the human is in the loop.

The Guardian - Tech

"He's in the loop," she said of Mr. Pirro.

The New York Times

I don't know who was in the loop".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be in the loop" in professional settings, ensure that the context clearly defines the 'loop' – what specific information or communication network someone is to be included in. This avoids ambiguity and ensures effective communication.

Common error

Avoid overusing "be in the loop" in writing, as it can sound cliché. Consider using alternative phrases like "stay informed" or "be updated" to maintain a fresh and engaging tone. Varying your vocabulary makes your writing more compelling.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be in the loop" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating the state of being informed about ongoing activities or developments. As shown by Ludwig, it is frequently used in professional and social contexts to ensure effective communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Academia

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be in the loop" is a common idiom used to express the desire to be kept informed about ongoing activities or developments. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely accepted, particularly in news, business, and scientific contexts. While highly prevalent, varying your language by using alternatives like "stay informed" or "be kept up to date" can enhance the impact of your communication. Remember to clearly define the context of the 'loop' to avoid ambiguity. Authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase, further validating its widespread usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be in the know

This option suggests having insider knowledge, implying a level of exclusivity not necessarily present in the original phrase.

be in the picture

Indicates having a complete understanding of the situation, similar to being informed but more holistic.

be plugged in

Suggests being connected to a network, similar to "be in the loop" but with a more technological connotation.

be kept up to date

This alternative emphasizes the act of being updated with current information, slightly different from being inherently within the information network.

be up to speed

Similar to "be kept up to date", focusing on having the latest information, but less about the continuous flow.

stay informed

This alternative focuses on the continuous aspect of receiving information, whereas the original phrase implies being part of the information flow.

be well-informed

This describes a state of having ample knowledge, slightly differing from the active process of being in the loop.

be privy to information

This emphasizes the privileged access to information, suggesting a higher level of confidentiality than the original phrase.

have inside information

Emphasizes possessing exclusive or non-public knowledge, adding an element of secrecy.

be part of the conversation

This option highlights the interactive aspect of communication, whereas the original phrase can also imply passive reception of information.

FAQs

How can I use "be in the loop" in a sentence?

You can use "be in the loop" to indicate that someone is being kept informed about something. For example, "Please "keep me in the loop" regarding the project's progress" or "It's important to "be in the loop when" decisions are being made".

What does "be in the loop" mean?

"Be in the loop" means to be kept informed about something, typically a project, a series of events, or some kind of activity. It suggests being part of an inner circle of communication.

What can I say instead of "be in the loop"?

You can use alternatives like "stay informed", "be kept up to date", or "be in the know" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "be in the loop" or "stay in the loop"?

Both "be in the loop" and "stay in the loop" are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Be in the loop" implies being included from the start, while "stay in the loop" suggests maintaining that inclusion over time.