bring up to date

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bring up to date" is correct and usable in written English.
It means "to update or make something current." For example, "I need to bring my resume up to date so that I can apply for a new job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

OF ALL modern dramatists, Arthur Miller can be the hardest to bring up to date.

The Economist

But this is not just an opportunity to bring up to date what we already have.

The Guardian - Opinion

There was talk about the need to "bring up to date" a "4,000-year-old 4,000-year-old 4,000-year-old

The Guardian

In this book, an attempt is made to bring up to date the latest knowledge of the multibillion dollar construction industry.

Accelerated Bridge Construction Best Practices and Techniques

Custom options too numerous to cite here make it possible to create sets of synchronization jobs, depending on what you want to bring up to date and when.

The New York Times - Tech

Hetherington, however, was determined to bring up to date a cause he had spent many leading articles in promoting: Lib-Lab cooperation to defeat the Tories.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

John sought an aggiornamento (Italian: "bringing up to date") to modernize the church, and in part he succeeded.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While we dinosaur geeks have learned not to expect too much, it would have been fantastic to see Who bring up-to-date dromaeosaurs to a wider audience.

The Guardian

Yet Mali has developed its own information highway to bring up-to-date prices on crops and livestock to farmers in the most remote villages and with 80% of the population engaged in agriculture, the latest word on corn or sorghum prices is as critical to Mali's economy as real-time securities data are to Wall Street.

Forbes

On the first day of class bring up-to-date immunization records.

WikiHow

This also allowed a number of minor aspects (such as the dress of the eldest daughter) of the painting to be brought up-to-date.

Heritage Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bring up to date", clearly specify what you are updating. For example, instead of saying "I need to bring it up to date", say "I need to bring the project timeline up to date."

Common error

While "bring up to date" is generally acceptable, overly relying on it in formal writing may make your writing sound less sophisticated. Consider using more precise synonyms like "modernize", "revise", or "update", depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bring up to date" functions as a phrasal verb, specifically a transitive one, requiring a direct object. It signifies the action of updating or modernizing something to a current state, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bring up to date" is a versatile and commonly used phrasal verb that means to "update" or modernize something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various domains. While suitable for most contexts, being mindful of formality and exploring synonyms like "revise" or "modernize" can enhance your writing. Its frequency is considered common, appearing often in news, science, and academic sources. Remember to be specific about what you're bringing up to date for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

update

This is the shortest and most direct synonym, implying making something current.

bring current

Reorders the words while keeping similar semantics.

modernize

Focuses on making something current with modern standards or technology.

make up-to-date

Uses a different verb but conveys the same idea of updating.

refresh

Suggests renewing something to make it feel new or current again.

upgrade

Implies improving something to a newer or better version.

revamp

Implies a more thorough and significant update or renovation.

renew

Focuses on restoring or refreshing something to a more current state.

revise

Focuses on correcting or improving something to make it current.

improve

Suggests enhancing something to a better, more current condition.

FAQs

How can I use "bring up to date" in a sentence?

You can use "bring up to date" to describe the act of updating information or systems. For example, "The software needs to be "brought up to date" with the latest security patches" or "Let me "bring you up to date" on the project's progress".

What's a more formal alternative to "bring up to date"?

In more formal contexts, consider using synonyms like "modernize", "revise", or simply "update". These alternatives can lend a more professional tone to your writing.

Is it correct to say "bring up-to-date"?

While "bring up to date" is the more common phrasing, "bring up-to-date" with hyphens is also grammatically acceptable, especially when used as a compound adjective. For example, "We need to bring our records up-to-date."

What's the difference between "bring up to date" and "update"?

"Bring up to date" is a phrasal verb that implies making something current. "Update" is a more direct synonym and can be used interchangeably in many contexts, though it may lack the emphasis on restoring currency implied by "bring up to date".