fill us in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fill us in" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an informal phrasal verb which means to provide information by giving details. For example: "We didn't hear the whole story - can you fill us in on the details?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

And he was, returning in a jiffy to fill us in on details, as if we were his new best friends.

The New York Times

- Jeremy Kay's US box office report will fill us in on which films got tills ringing in the states last weekend.

The Guardian - Film

Prof. Zilberman was an author, so maybe he can fill us in.

University of California, Berkeley

Charlie Talbot and Matt West write to fill us in on the details of Everard's achievement.

The Guardian - Sport

"If he wanted to fill us in, he would've done that," wide receiver Terry Glenn said.

The New York Times

Can you fill us in a little on your latest sidestep into opera?

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

We recounted our saga to Ed and Paul, and they filled us in on theirs.

The New York Times

As we drove, he filled us in on the Mineralogical Club's glittering past.

The New York Times - Arts

"I don't think we realized how serious it was until he got back and filled us in," Gopher sophomore Logan Storley said.

The New York Times

They filled us in on Hanoi life, their ambitions and the Korean pop stars they like over lunch in their favourite cafe.

The Guardian - Travel

The director of the National Institute of Mental Health, Thomas Insel, filled us in on the latest.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fill us in" when you want someone to provide detailed information about a situation or event. It is suitable for conversational contexts but can also be used in professional settings depending on the relationship with your audience.

Common error

While "fill us in" is widely understood, avoid using it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "elaborate" or "provide details" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "fill us in" functions as a request for information. It prompts someone to provide details about a situation, event, or topic. Ludwig's examples show it's used to seek updates, explanations, and comprehensive accounts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fill us in" is a phrasal verb used to request detailed information about a topic or event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usability. It's most commonly found in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts. While versatile, it's best to avoid using it in highly formal writing where alternatives like "provide details" or "elaborate" would be more appropriate. The most authoritative sources using this phrase include The New York Times, The Guardian and TechCrunch.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Give us the details

More direct and less idiomatic.

Tell us more about it

Emphasizes the act of telling.

Elaborate on that for us

More formal and emphasizes expanding on a topic.

Provide us with the specifics

More formal and focuses on precise information.

Shed light on the matter for us

Figurative and implies clarification.

Give us the full picture

Emphasizes completeness of information.

Bring us up to speed

Focuses on catching someone up on current information.

Explain it to us

Basic and direct request for explanation.

Update us on the situation

Specifically refers to providing the latest information.

Enlighten us

More dramatic and implies imparting wisdom.

FAQs

How can I use "fill us in" in a sentence?

You can use "fill us in" when you want someone to provide more details about something. For example, "I missed the meeting, can you "fill us in" on what happened?"

What are some alternatives to "fill us in"?

Some alternatives to "fill us in" are "give us the details", "elaborate", or "provide more information". The best choice depends on the level of formality required.

Is "fill us in" appropriate for professional emails?

It depends on your relationship with the recipient. If you have a casual or friendly rapport, "fill us in" can be acceptable. However, for more formal communications, it's better to use phrases like "provide an update" or "give us the details".

What's the difference between "fill us in" and "update us"?

"Fill us in" suggests providing comprehensive details, potentially about something that happened in the past. "Update us" implies providing the latest information about an ongoing situation. For example, use "fill us in" if you missed a meeting, and "update us" if you're waiting for progress on a project.